Waterford United 0 - 1 UCD
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
A second half goal from UCD substitute David McMillan put a serious dent in Waterford United’s promotion hopes as the ten men Students’ held out for victory at a rain soaked RSC tonight.
Willie John Kiely had a chance to give the home side the lead after two minutes when a Kevin Waters left-wing cross was met at the back post by Stephen Grant and when he fired across goal, Kiely was denied by a brilliant one-handed save from UCD goalkeeper Billy Brennan.
It was then the turn of the Blues netminder Michael Devine to come to his sides rescue on seven minutes when Ronan Finn seemed certain to give the visitors the lead after he got on the end of a Chris Mulhall delivery but the ball was superbly turned around the posts. Kevin Waters was just off target with a towering header on 11 minutes when he got on the end of a Grant right-wing cross at the back post but he failed to trouble keeper Brennan as his effort sailed over the crossbar.
Devine was called into action to make another wonder save on 25 minutes when Keith Ward flicked the ball into the path of midfielder Ronan Finn and his stunning right-footed 35-yard that seemed destine for the top corner was superbly tipped around the posts. The impressive Finn went extremely close to breaking the deadlock on 32 minutes when he once again tried his luck from distance but with Devine scrambling across goal, the ball just skimmed inches over the crossbar.
Chris Mulhall got the better of Alan Carey down the left channel on 41 minutes and after turning brilliantly onto his right-foot, his goalbound effort was tipped around the posts by Devine as the Students’ controlled the first period for long periods.
The second period was less than six minutes old when UCD were reduced to ten men as referee Padraig Sutton showed a straight red card to midfielder Greg Bolger for a two-footed challenge on Stephen Grant.
As the Blues began to turn the screw, they were denied by the upright direct from a corner kick when John Kearney’s right-wing flag kick came crashing back off the crossbar and within minutes, the visitors were in front.
The goal arrived on 70 minutes when Peter McMahon turned provider for David McMillan and after controlling the ball superbly and after beating the offside trap, the second half sub kept his cool to slot past a helpless Michael Devine.
Paul Walsh should have done better with a chance that fell in his direction on 73 minutes when he got his head on the end of a Kevin Murray delivery from the left but he headed high and over the crossbar.
There was one final chance for the home side in the final minute as Alan Carey found Graham Cummins unmarked at the back post but his effort was deflected out for a corner kick and from Dave Warren’s delivery, Kevin Murray was denied by a brilliant Billy Brennan save.
WATERFORD UNITED: Devine; Carey, Browne, Murray, Kearney; Grant, Fitzgerald (Walsh `65), Warren, Waters (Woodgate `85); Kiely, Cummins
UCD: Brennan; Matthews (Leahy `77), Boyle, McMillan, Nangle; Ward (D McMillan), Bolger, Finn, Mulhall; Kilduff, McMahon
Referee: Padraig Sutton (Clare)
Attendance: 420
Extratime.ie man of the match: Ronan Finn (UCD) - The talented midfielder caused the Blues endless problems throughout
Willie John Kiely had a chance to give the home side the lead after two minutes when a Kevin Waters left-wing cross was met at the back post by Stephen Grant and when he fired across goal, Kiely was denied by a brilliant one-handed save from UCD goalkeeper Billy Brennan.
It was then the turn of the Blues netminder Michael Devine to come to his sides rescue on seven minutes when Ronan Finn seemed certain to give the visitors the lead after he got on the end of a Chris Mulhall delivery but the ball was superbly turned around the posts. Kevin Waters was just off target with a towering header on 11 minutes when he got on the end of a Grant right-wing cross at the back post but he failed to trouble keeper Brennan as his effort sailed over the crossbar.
Devine was called into action to make another wonder save on 25 minutes when Keith Ward flicked the ball into the path of midfielder Ronan Finn and his stunning right-footed 35-yard that seemed destine for the top corner was superbly tipped around the posts. The impressive Finn went extremely close to breaking the deadlock on 32 minutes when he once again tried his luck from distance but with Devine scrambling across goal, the ball just skimmed inches over the crossbar.
Chris Mulhall got the better of Alan Carey down the left channel on 41 minutes and after turning brilliantly onto his right-foot, his goalbound effort was tipped around the posts by Devine as the Students’ controlled the first period for long periods.
The second period was less than six minutes old when UCD were reduced to ten men as referee Padraig Sutton showed a straight red card to midfielder Greg Bolger for a two-footed challenge on Stephen Grant.
As the Blues began to turn the screw, they were denied by the upright direct from a corner kick when John Kearney’s right-wing flag kick came crashing back off the crossbar and within minutes, the visitors were in front.
The goal arrived on 70 minutes when Peter McMahon turned provider for David McMillan and after controlling the ball superbly and after beating the offside trap, the second half sub kept his cool to slot past a helpless Michael Devine.
Paul Walsh should have done better with a chance that fell in his direction on 73 minutes when he got his head on the end of a Kevin Murray delivery from the left but he headed high and over the crossbar.
There was one final chance for the home side in the final minute as Alan Carey found Graham Cummins unmarked at the back post but his effort was deflected out for a corner kick and from Dave Warren’s delivery, Kevin Murray was denied by a brilliant Billy Brennan save.
WATERFORD UNITED: Devine; Carey, Browne, Murray, Kearney; Grant, Fitzgerald (Walsh `65), Warren, Waters (Woodgate `85); Kiely, Cummins
UCD: Brennan; Matthews (Leahy `77), Boyle, McMillan, Nangle; Ward (D McMillan), Bolger, Finn, Mulhall; Kilduff, McMahon
Referee: Padraig Sutton (Clare)
Attendance: 420
Extratime.ie man of the match: Ronan Finn (UCD) - The talented midfielder caused the Blues endless problems throughout
