WATERFORD TOOK A major stride towards preserving their SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division status with a deserved 3-1 victory over fellow strugglers Drogheda United at the RSC.
Having looked deep in relegation trouble during the early months of the campaign, Graham Coughlan’s side showed both character and quality to recover from a goal down and record a result that could prove pivotal in the battle for survival.
The Blues started brightly and created the first opening inside five minutes when Conan Noonan picked out Tommy Lonergan on the left, but the attacker dragged his effort wide of the target. Moments later, Evan McLaughlin tried his luck from distance but fired over.
Waterford continued to dominate possession and almost found a breakthrough on 18 minutes. A dangerous Benny Couto corner was met by John Mahon, whose downward header was comfortably saved by Drogheda goalkeeper Fynn Talley.
The home side felt aggrieved shortly afterwards when McLaughlin’s cross appeared to strike a defender’s hand inside the area, but referee Rob Hennessy waved away appeals and awarded a corner instead.
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Despite seeing little of the ball, Drogheda struck with their first meaningful attack. Brandon Kavanagh released Conor Kane down the left and his inviting cross was met by Leo Burney, who guided a firm header beyond Stephen McMullan to put the visitors ahead on 24 minutes.
Drogheda nearly doubled their advantage four minutes later when Edwin Agbaje found space on the edge of the box, only to drag his shot narrowly wide.
Waterford responded positively and came within inches of an equaliser in the 41st minute. Hayden Cann’s excellent pass released Lonergan, who squared for Kevin Long, but the defender’s thunderous strike crashed back off the crossbar.
The pressure eventually told two minutes later. After spotting holding in the penalty area, Hennessy ordered a Waterford corner to be retaken. Couto again delivered into a dangerous area and Cann was on hand at the back post to turn the ball home and restore parity before the interval.
The second half was a tense affair, with both sides aware of what was at stake. Drogheda threatened through Thomas Oluwa after Waterford lost possession in midfield, but his effort took a deflection and drifted wide.
As the game opened up, Waterford began to seize control. Kevin Long drove forward from defence on 64 minutes before feeding Padraig Amond, whose effort was cleared by a scrambling Drogheda defence.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 67th minute. McLaughlin combined well with Lonergan on the right and the latter produced a perfectly weighted pass for Noonan, who drilled a low left-footed finish beyond Talley to send the home support into raptures.
With nerves beginning to build, Noah Mawene tested Talley from distance before Noonan set up McLaughlin, who fired over from the edge of the area.
Any lingering anxiety disappeared six minutes from time as Waterford wrapped up the points in style. Lonergan and McLaughlin combined brilliantly down the right before McLaughlin produced some clever footwork inside the box and teed up Amond. The veteran striker did the rest, curling a superb effort into the far corner to cap another impressive display and seal a priceless victory.
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Waterford beat fellow strugglers Drogheda to take huge step towards survival
Waterford FC 3
Drogheda United 1
WATERFORD TOOK A major stride towards preserving their SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division status with a deserved 3-1 victory over fellow strugglers Drogheda United at the RSC.
Having looked deep in relegation trouble during the early months of the campaign, Graham Coughlan’s side showed both character and quality to recover from a goal down and record a result that could prove pivotal in the battle for survival.
The Blues started brightly and created the first opening inside five minutes when Conan Noonan picked out Tommy Lonergan on the left, but the attacker dragged his effort wide of the target. Moments later, Evan McLaughlin tried his luck from distance but fired over.
Waterford continued to dominate possession and almost found a breakthrough on 18 minutes. A dangerous Benny Couto corner was met by John Mahon, whose downward header was comfortably saved by Drogheda goalkeeper Fynn Talley.
The home side felt aggrieved shortly afterwards when McLaughlin’s cross appeared to strike a defender’s hand inside the area, but referee Rob Hennessy waved away appeals and awarded a corner instead.
Despite seeing little of the ball, Drogheda struck with their first meaningful attack. Brandon Kavanagh released Conor Kane down the left and his inviting cross was met by Leo Burney, who guided a firm header beyond Stephen McMullan to put the visitors ahead on 24 minutes.
Drogheda nearly doubled their advantage four minutes later when Edwin Agbaje found space on the edge of the box, only to drag his shot narrowly wide.
Waterford responded positively and came within inches of an equaliser in the 41st minute. Hayden Cann’s excellent pass released Lonergan, who squared for Kevin Long, but the defender’s thunderous strike crashed back off the crossbar.
The pressure eventually told two minutes later. After spotting holding in the penalty area, Hennessy ordered a Waterford corner to be retaken. Couto again delivered into a dangerous area and Cann was on hand at the back post to turn the ball home and restore parity before the interval.
The second half was a tense affair, with both sides aware of what was at stake. Drogheda threatened through Thomas Oluwa after Waterford lost possession in midfield, but his effort took a deflection and drifted wide.
As the game opened up, Waterford began to seize control. Kevin Long drove forward from defence on 64 minutes before feeding Padraig Amond, whose effort was cleared by a scrambling Drogheda defence.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 67th minute. McLaughlin combined well with Lonergan on the right and the latter produced a perfectly weighted pass for Noonan, who drilled a low left-footed finish beyond Talley to send the home support into raptures.
With nerves beginning to build, Noah Mawene tested Talley from distance before Noonan set up McLaughlin, who fired over from the edge of the area.
Any lingering anxiety disappeared six minutes from time as Waterford wrapped up the points in style. Lonergan and McLaughlin combined brilliantly down the right before McLaughlin produced some clever footwork inside the box and teed up Amond. The veteran striker did the rest, curling a superb effort into the far corner to cap another impressive display and seal a priceless victory.
Waterford FC: McMullan; Voilas, Cann, Mahon, Long, Couto; Mawene, McLaughlin (Heeney 85), Noonan (McMenamy 85); Lonergan, Amond.
Drogheda United: Talley; Agbaje, Quinn, Keeley, Kane; O’Brien (Bates 71), Burney (Markey 79), Farrell (Ancelin 71); Kavanagh, Davis (Doyle 42), Oluwa.
Referee: Rob Hennessy (Limerick).
Attendance: 3,322.
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