League Report: Cabinteely 0 - 2 Waterford United

Waterford United claimed back-to-back league victories for the first time since June 2014 on Saturday night when they overcame Cabinteely 2-0 in Stradbrook. United manager, Roddy Collins will be delighted with his team who overcame difficult opposition and challenging conditions to register their second league victory of the season.

Stormy conditions and an unpredictable pitch made for a scrappy and unspectacular first half between last season’s bottom two. Cabinteely, playing downwind in the first half, edged the early proceedings with Aaron Brilly cleverly lobbing the onrushing Kevin Burns in the Waterford goal only for a backtracking defender to snub out the danger. Cabinteely boasted most of the possession and territory but failed to create many real scoring opportunities and they were punished for this in the 51^st minute when David O’Leary fired home a low half volley from outside the box which gave Michael Kelly in the Cabinteely goal little chance.

The game then opened up and there were chances at both ends, most notably, Cabinteely drew a stunning save from Kevin Burns to deny a free kick that was destined for the top corner. United then doubled their advantage in the 60^th minute when a beautiful out-swinging cross from Robbie Buckley found the head of Philip Gorman who rose highest to head home from close range. The second goal deflated Cabinteely and the final thirty minutes were comfortable for the Blues who almost added a third, when a low shot was denied by the outstretched arm of Kelly in the Cabinteely goal and later when James O’Brien hit the post with a pile driving free kick from the edge of the area.

In the end two was enough for Waterford who showed composure in the closing stages to see out victory over a team that they failed to beat in Stradbrook on two occasions last season. Cabinteely will need to regain the early season form that saw them defeat Athlone on the opening day as they haven’t tasted victory since and have conceded seven without reply in their last two games.

Cabinteely: Michael Kelly; Karl Byrne, Kevin Knight, Andrew Wall (Lee Mitchell 86), Edward McDonagh; Aaron Brilly, Joseph Doyle, Oscar Brennan, Ben Hanrahan; Stephen Hanley (Sean Burke 81), Michael Brown (Shane Heffernan 71).

Subs not used: Cathal Gillen; Shane Burke, Oliver Hamzat; Lloyd Cairns,

Yellow Cards: None.

Waterford United: Kevin Burns; Robert Buckley, Sean Byrne, Ian Sinnott, Colum Nugent; David O’Leary (Dean Reilly 69), James O’Brien, Darren Murphy, Philip Gorman; Anthony McAlavey (Aaron O’Connor 63), Dylan McGuire (Eoin Rhodes 55).

Subs not used: Dean Broaders, James Dermody, Shane Mackey, Corey Chambers.

Yellow Cards: Colum Nugent (53).

Attendance: 391.

Referee: Rob Rogers

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: David O’Leary (Waterford United).