EA Sports Cup Report: Waterford 4 - 1 UCC

Waterford set up an EA Sports Cup second round tie with Cork City after winning 4-1 at home to UCC on Monday night at the RSC.

Fresh from their win against Shamrock Rovers on Friday, Waterford took the lead after 11 minutes.

Winger Derek Daly found the run of Sander Puri inside the righthand side of the penalty area and his drive towards the back post found Irish underage international John Martin to score from close range.

Visitors UCC had some early possession after they fell behind but failed to test Waterford keeper Niall Corbet, before UCC keeper David Coffey was called upon to save Sander Puri’s powerful drive.

But the visiting defence was beaten again after the half hour. Puri and Dean Walsh linked up on the edge of the area with the latter’s backheel setting up Puri to fire beyond Coffey.

The Premier Division side’s dominance continued as Alan Reynolds’ side made it 3-0 before the break. Walsh found the run of John Martin and he picked out Daly in the penalty area. Daly set himself before firing into the back of the net.

Keeper Coffey pulled off another great save from Daly before UCC pulled a goal back after a goalkeeping mistake. Ronan Hennessy picked up possession inside the Waterford penalty area and his strike went under the body of Corbet, who really should have saved.

Any chance of a UCC comeback was ended 11 minutes later. On-loan defender John Kavanagh sent in a cross from the right and striker Ismahil Akinade headed brilliantly over UCC keeper Coffey to make it 4-1.

Both substitute Matthew McKevitt and midfielder Garan Manley had chances as UCC continued to look to play; McKevitt denied by a good Kavanagh challenge, while Manley’s free kick could only hit the side netting.

Waterford: Niall Corbet; John Kavanagh, David Webster (Adam Conway 46), Garry Comerford, Darryl Walsh (Ismahil Akinade 59); Faysel Kasmi, Sander Puri, Bastien Hery, John Martin; Derek Daly, Dean Walsh.

Subs Not Used: Matthew Connor (gk), Gavan Holohan, Paul Keegan, Courtney Duffus.

Booked: None.

UCC: David Coffey; David O’Connor, James Sheehan, Sean O’Mahony, Ben McAuliffe; Ronan Hennessy, Brian Mulcahy, Garan Manley (Dave Walsh 84), Rob Sleven (Owen Collins  55), Shane Daly Butz; David Dalton (Matthew McKevitt 67).

Subs Not Used: Cathal O’Hanlon (gk), John Buttimer, Darren Mannix.

Booked: Sean O’Mahony (24), David O’Connor (89).

Referee: David Keeler.

Attendance: 482 (official).

Man of the Match: Sander Puri (Waterford).