League Report: Waterford 2 - 1 Shamrock Rovers

Two first half goals from Courtney Duffus gave Waterford a 2-1 win at home to Shamrock Rovers at the RSC on Friday night.

The win moves Waterford back into second place in the season and is their fifth win in their opening seven matches of the season.

Despite having the better of the opening minutes, visitors Shamrock Rovers were reduced to ten men as fouls on Dean O’Halloran and Courtney Duffus one minute apart saw two yellows cards and a subsequent red card issued to Ally Gilchrist, albeit the second yellow card looked generous.

Waterford made their advantage count as they took the lead just after the half hour. Bastien Hery found the run of Dylan Barnett on the left wing and his cross to the back post saw Duffus take advantage of Luke Byrne’s poor attempted clearance as the striker struck first time past Tomer Chencinski.

Rovers were level two minutes later. Brandon Miele picked out the free Graham Burke on the right of the penalty area and he brilliantly curled his strike beyond the dive of Waterford keeper Lawrence Vigouroux.

Waterford went back in front two minutes later as Gavan Holohan picked out Duffus inside the penalty area and he shot home under visiting keeper Chencinski.

Rovers did press early in the second half despite their man disadvantage. Vigouroux was forced to save from Lee Grace’s point-black header early in the second half before Sam Bone set up Dan Carr but he couldn’t find the target.

Ronan Finn wasted a good opportunity as he fired wide before Miele’s free kick from outside the penalty area was saved as the home side defender well to pick up the three points.

Waterford: Lawrence Vigouroux, John Kavanagh, David Webster, Garry Comerford, Dylan Barnett; Bastien Hery, Stanley Aborah, Gavan Holohan (Sander Puri 85), Paul Keegan; Dean O’Halloran (Izzy Akinade 53), Courtney Duffus (Faysell Kasmi 77).

Subs Not Used: Niall Corbet, John Martin, Derek Daly, Dean Walsh.

Booked: David Webster (81).

Shamrock Rovers: Tomer Chencinski; Ethan Boyle, Lee Grace, Ally Gilchrist, Trevor Clarke (Luke Byrne 31 (Sam Bone 51)); Ronan Finn, Greg Bolger; Joel Coustrain (Roberto Lopes 12), Graham Burke, Brandon Miele; Dan Carr.

Subs Not Used: Kevin Horgan, Gary Shaw, David McAllister, Sean Boyd.

Booked: Ally Gilchrist (9, 10), Greg Bolger (72).

Sent off: Ally Gilchrist (10).

Referee: Paul McLoughlin.

Attendance: 3,010 (official).

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Stanley Aborah (Waterford).