League Report: Galway United 2 - 1 Waterford

Paul Corcoran reports from Eamonn Deacy Park

Galway United extended their lead at the top of the First Division to ten points with a 2-1 win over Waterford on Friday night.

Ed McCarthy opened the scoring in the first half with David Hurley doubling their lead in the second half. Ronan Coughlan nabbed a goal in the 80^th minute but the Tribesmen managed to hold out for a huge win in this year’s First Division.

Galway United’s winning start to the season came to an end on Monday night with a 1-0 loss to Longford Town, John Caulfield made just one change to his team ahead of this clash with the Tribesmen’s First Division title rivals with Regan Donelon replacing Maurice Nugent.

Waterford too tasted defeat on Monday against Wexford and Keith Long made three changes with Eddie Nolan, Ryan Burke and Shane Griffin replacing Chris Conn-Clarke Roland Idowu and Dean McMenamy.

It was a quiet opening to the game with it taking 17 minutes for the first shot. Colm Horgan flicked a low cross into the box with Francely Lomboto leaving it off for Killian Brouder – he had to turn and fire a shot off with Paul Martin getting down to smother the ball.

Lomboto flashed another low cross into the box after beating Tunmise Sobowale on the left in the 20^th minute, United would have been in front if any of their players had made contact to turn the ball into the net but it evaded everyone and skipped out to the far wing.

There was danger at the back for the home side in the 31^st minute with a few waves of attack by Waterford, Ryan Burke was nearly in on goal after a clever dinked pass from Shane Griffin played him deep inside the box, but the Galway defence snuffed out the attack and got the ball from danger.

United took the lead in the 34^th minute with David Hurley floating a cross from the left flank and finding Ed McCarthy at the back post, the midfielder managed to take the ball down and get a shot off – it struck the far post and just escaped the clutches of Paul Martin as it rolled over the line.

Brendan Clarke was put under serious pressure in the Galway goal five minutes from half time, he couldn’t hold on to Griffin’s free-kick when he denied the midfielder from distance, he had to make a quick save when Connor Parsons struck the rebound but he denied the visitors a second time.

United were in on goal shortly after the re-start when Lomboto linked up well with Walsh in the box – Walsh held the ball up before taking it to the endline before rattling a shot off with the ball only rattling the side netting.

There was an off the ball incident between Walsh and Giles Phillips in the 55^th minute, with Stephen Walsh on the ground in the middle of the park. Hurley picked up a booking when he got involved and Phillips threw himself to the ground when the midfielder got involved.

The home side doubled their lead in the 68^th minute when referee Kevin O’Sullivan awarded a penalty after a poor challenge by Griffin on Regan Donelon. Hurley took aim from the spot and blasted the ball into the bottom right corner, leaving Martin with no chance to make the save.

 The Blues had a penalty shout of their own in the 78^th minute when substitute Wassim Aouachira appeared to be tripped by Brendan Clarke, Waterford protested but the referee didn’t blow his whistle.

The visitors pulled one back when Parsons sent another ball into the box, Griffin took hold and gave the final ball to the most in form striker in the First Division as Ronan Coughlan stroked the ball into the goal ten minutes from time.

Galway United: Brendan Clarke; Killian Brouder, Regan Donelon (Maurice Nugent 85), Colm Horgan (Conor O'Keeffe 46), Rob Slevin; Vincent Borden, David Hurley, Francely Lomboto (Mikie Rowe 71), Edward McCarthy (Oisin O'Reilly 90), Conor McCormack; Stephen Walsh.

Subs not used: Alex Rutter, Evan O'Connor, Darren Clarke, Ibrahim Keita, Rob Manley.

Booked: Colm Horgan (40), Rob Slevin (42), David Hurley (55), Stephen Walsh (57), Regan Donelon (83).

Waterford: Paul Martin; Ryan Burke, Eddie Nolan (Dean McMenamy 78), Giles Phillips, Tunmise Sobowale (Roland Idowu 59); Barry Baggley, Shane Griffin, Dean Larkin (Wassim Aouachria 61), Niall O'Keeffe, Connor Parsons; Ronan Coughlan.

Subs not used: Tom Donaghy, Killian Cantwell, Harvey Warren, Chris Conn-Clarke, Thomas Oluwa, Romeo Akachukwu.

Booked: Shane Griffin (67), Barry Baggley (76), Roland Idowu (87).

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan.

Attendance: 2,500 (estimate)

extratime.com Player of the Match: Ed McCarthy (Galway United)

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