League Report: UCD 1 - 3 Waterford United

Waterford picked up a surprising but deserved win away to UCD on Friday night. Anthony McAlavey opened the scoring for the visitors early in the first half before Colum Nugent then doubled their lead soon after halftime, and despite UCD retorting with a Gary O’Neill goal, the Blues finished with a two goal winning margin as Philip Gorman completed the scoring.

A first half punctured by freekicks being given away by both sides saw its first real chance on ten minutes with UCD nearly profiting. A great deep cross saw Cathal Brady have time in the box to take the cross down before arrowing a shot just wide of the far post.

Waterford gradually came into the game as Philip Gorman nearly got on the end of a Colum Nugent freekick before Anthony McAlavey shot well over from outside the box after he cut inside.

McAlavey didn’t have to wait long to hit the target, although it all started with a UCD chance in the eighteenth minute. Kieran ‘Marty’ Waters picked up the ball in midfield and played George Kelly through on goal. The young striker shot too early though and Kevin Burns was able to save with ease.

Burns’ long kick up field was then flicked on by Gorman with McAlavey racing into the box. The attacker then fired beyond Niall Corbet to give Waterford United an unexpected lead.

The goal changed the momentum of the game and the Blues came into the ascendancy. Dan Tobin reacted well to stop McAlavey getting in again before Darren Murphy shot wide from distance.

UCD had the chance to get back into the game near the half hour mark. A blocked clearance fell at the feet of George Kelly who fed his strike partner Ryan Swan. However, the striker saw his attempt go over the bar as the game stuttered to halftime.

The second half was a much different story as it got even better for Waterford. Just five minutes in James O’Brien took down and controlled a long freekick into the box. He then looped a cross into the middle of the area, where Colum Nugent cushioned a header into the bottom corner to send the travelling fans into raptures.

UCD seemed shocked by the second goal and they took their time to find their feet in the half but soon enough they were back in it just before the hour mark. Great work from Swan saw him get a cross in just at the end line. Waters took a touch at the back post before drilling a low one for Gary O’Neill to tap home.

The Students went close soon again with Waters shooting wide before Swan saw his shot saved by Burns after good work from O’Neill and Tobin.

Yet it was the Blues that extended their lead in the 66^th minute. Dylan McGuire got the ball on the left wing before providing an excellent cross to an unmarked Gorman in the box and the former Athlone Town frontman powered his header home to restore Waterford’s two goal advantage.

A frantic pace was then set after the game’s fourth goal with Waters and Langtry going close for UCD before McGuire had a shot palmed away for Waterford. O’Neill and Brady also had chances in this flurry of attacking play in the ten minute period after the goal.

For all UCD’s hard work, they couldn’t find a clear cut chance with Waterford defending admirably and it was Roddy Collins’ men that more than deserved their first points of the season as the final whistle blew in Belfield.

UCD: Niall Corbet; Dan Tobin, Maxi Kouogun, Mark Langtry; Cathal Brady, Dylan Watts, Gary O’Neill, Kieran ‘Marty’ Waters (Daire O'Conchubhair 89’); George Kelly (Robert Manley 86’), Ryan Swan.

Subs not used: Conor O’Donnell, Sean Coyne, Adam Harney, Jason McClelland.

Booked: Langtry (84)

Waterford United: Kevin Burns; Robbie Buckley, Ian Sinnott, Colum Nugent; James Dermody (Sean Byrne 51’); James O’Brien (Dean Reidy 70’), Darren Murphy, Dave O’Leary, Dylan McGuire (Aaron O’Connor 77’); Anthony McAlavey, Philip Gorman.

Subs not used: Corey Chambers, Dean Broaders, Eoin Rhodes, Richard Tobin.

Booked: None

Referee: Tom Dempsey

Attendance: 250 (est)

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Anthony McAlavey (Waterford United).