Intertoto Cup First round, second leg/Cork City (2) v Valur Reykjavik (0):A solid performance in Reykjavik, combined with two blunders by the home side's goalkeeper, means Cork City find themselves in a commanding position ahead of tonight's Intertoto second leg with even the visiting manager conceding that his Valur side face an uphill task at Turner's Cross.
"We hoped to win and then defend in Cork, instead we have to attack," says Willum Por Porsson. "After the home game our plans are in the wind."
Porsson makes no bones about the fact that City's advantage is the fault of Kjartan Sturluson but insists that the goalkeeper was simply unfortunate to have a bad game on a big night. "The second goal was unbelievable (Sturluson allowed Liam Kearney's free-kick to slip through his hands) but my goalkeeper is much better than that."
Damien Richardson may have to omit Kearney from the starting line-up with the midfielder having picked up a calf strain, while Darragh Ryan is definitely out of the tie. Both the City manager and his captain, Dan Murray, have warned against complacency and with their visitors needing to win 2-0 just to force extra time, a second-round meeting with either Swedish or Faeroese opposition looks to be theirs to lose.
Sligo Rovers, meanwhile, are without Bohemians bound midfielder Chris Turner for tonight's league game against Longford. Whether the under-21 Northern Ireland international would have been selected by Paul Cook after signing a pre-contract agreement with the Dubliners was always in some doubt but a medial ligaments injury means that he will not be available for at least a couple of weeks. Also ruled out is Adam Hughes, a scorer at Belfield last week, due to suspension.
Longford will again be missing Kevin Doherty and Dessie Baker as they look to pick up their first league win for more than two months.
"I've been encouraged by the last few performances," says manager Alan Matthews, "there's been a great attitude shown but we need to start picking up a few points."
