Dundalk 2 - 1 Waterford United

Two goals from Paul Crowley ended Waterford United’s ten-match unbeaten run and extended Dundalk’s lead to five points at the top of the eircom League of Ireland First Division table on Thursday night. Crowley has shown a keen eye for the target throughout the season, and he proved the match winner here as he bagged twice in the space of quarter-of-an-hour during the first-half. The midfielder’s first was a magnificent volley from 20-yards, and, though Waterford soon equalised thanks to a defensive mistake, Crowley was again on the mark with a close-range header.

That was a lead that was never relinquished, as, despite Waterford holding a lot of possession during the second period, they failed to seriously trouble goalkeeper Chris Bennion once more. Dundalk’s run of six straight clean-sheets in the league may have come to an end, however, their unbeaten run has now been stretched to eight games (six wins/two draws). While it may not be one hand on the title just yet with twelve games still remaining, this result could well prove to be a defining moment in the Lilywhites’ promotion push.

For the visit of Waterford, manager John Gill made just a single change to the team that went down 3-1 to Bray Wanderers in the FAI Cup last Monday night. Striker Paul Smyth held on to his place in attack, however, Trevor Vaughan was dropped to the bench in favour of the returning Dessie Baker, who missed the two Bray games as he was cup-tied. From their last league game, against Sporting Fingal a fortnight ago, there was two changes, as Jamie Duffy and Smyth were preferred to Derek Doyle and Vaughan. Waterford, for their part, had ex-Lilywhite defender Stephen Quigley on the bench.

Dundalk started brightly and hit the front after only 12 minutes. A clever ball over the top by captain John Flanagan gave Paul Crowley space, and the midfielder used it wonderfully as he sent another sensational shot to the top corner of the Waterford net from 20-yards. Five minutes later, the hosts came close to making it 2-0. A free-kick from David Crawley was knocked down by the defence, and Jamie Duffy drove a powerful shot inches wide of Packie Holden’s left-hand post.

However, despite dominating the opening minutes, Dundalk were hit with a sucker punch on 18 minutes, as Waterford scored with their first shot on target. A terrible mistake by Ian Ryan at the centre of the home defence allowed David Grincell to steal the ball. After being dragged to the ground, referee Graeme Kelly prepared to blow from a free, however, he allowed play to go on as Luke Fitzpatrick picked up possession and found the net after negotiating the hurdle of goalkeeper Chris Bennion safely.

It was an undeserved goal, however, Dundalk soon hit the front once more as DFC Magazine cover star Crowley grabbed his second of the evening. A beautifully floated free-kick from David Cassidy to the back post was knocked back across goal by Paul Smyth for Crowley to tap home from a couple of yards. Following that, Waterford came back into the game and, on 40 minutes, they came close to equalising. Fitzpatrick dispossessed Duffy inside the Lilywhites half and his shot was deflected into the path of David Grincell. However, Flanagan got back to deny the forward as his magnificent tackle denied what surely would have been a goal.

After the half-time interval, Dundalk fell deeper into their own half. However, with Waterford unable to create anything, the Lilywhites almost found another when Smyth broke through after a neat pass by Baker. However, the Monaghan man fired straight at the ‘keeper. Just seconds later, Gill’s troops again came close. A mistake in defence by Kenny Browne allowed Baker in, however, Holden rushed to the edge of the box to clear, with Paul Shiels firing a wayward effort from 30-yards with the Blues netminder stranded.

With just over ten minutes remaining, Dundalk ventured forward once more and Baker’s superlative cross-field ball picked out Cassidy on the right. The winger connected first time, however, his powerful effort ran narrowly wide of Holden’s right-hand upright. As both teams cancelled each other out from thereon in, chances were limited. And, though Waterford threatened with a number of attacks near the end, Dundalk wrapped up the win in the final minute of stoppage time. However, the ref ruled it out. Cassidy was fouled inside the area but Marney still tapped in from a couple of yards. Astonishingly, though, Mr. Kelly awarded a free-in, outside the box! It didn’t matter, however, as the final whistle soon went.

Dundalk: Chris Bennion; John Flanagan, Ian Ryan, Ben Whelehan, David Crawley; David Cassidy, Paul Shiels, Paul Crowley, Jamie Duffy (Derek Doyle 74); Richie Baker (Paul Marney 90), Paul Smyth (Trevor Vaughan 87).

Waterford United: Packie Holden; Kenny Browne, John Hayes (Kieran Fitzgerald 78), David Breen, Robbie Clarke; Dave Warren, Luke Fitzpatrick, Michael Foley, Kevin Waters (Joe Mulcahy 72); Karl Bermingham (Willie John Kiely 69), David Grincell.

Referee: Graham Kelly.

Attendance: 2,000 (estimate)

Man of the Match: Paul Crowley (Dundalk) - Crowley again contributed goals in another impressive midfield performance. The 28-year-old, who gained a belated birthday present here, grabbed his third goal within the week as he added to his header against Bray with another double. Crowley struck his first after just 12 minutes with a wonderful 20-yard volley, and his second came soon after as he headed in a Paul Smyth knock-down from inside the six-yard box. Crowley had previously struggled to break into John Gill’s starting XI this season, however, the manager has been left with no choice in recent weeks but to push David Cassidy out wide. The Dubliner is also now the club’s top goalscorer in all competitions with eight. Outstanding performance!