Mervue United 2 - 3 Waterford United

• Terry Flaherty
• Sun, Apr 04 2010


Waterford United maintained their perfect start to the season after a hard fought 3-2 win over Mervue Utd in a game that was an excellent advertisement for the Airtricity League.

This was Waterford’s fifth win in as many games and they moved four points clear at the top of the First Division, but the home team can count themselves unlucky not to get something from the game.

Mervue manager Tom French made five changes to his side with Nicky Curran, Mike Tierney, Kenny Farrell, Gerry Burke and Darren Young all coming back into the team. League leaders Waterford made four changes as goalkeeper Kevin Burns started along with Gareth Cambridge, Paul McCarthy and Willie John Kiely while Stephen Henderson named only four substitutes.

The pitch at Terryland Park was in pretty good condition considering Galway United’s Premier Division clash with Dundalk was called off just 24 hours earlier as it was under water following torrential rain.

The visitors started well knocking the ball around well and hit the front after 10 minutes as some bad defending contributed to the opening score. Vinny Sullivan fed the ball to Timmy Purcell on the left of the penalty box but his run was halted by Damien O’Rourke. The defender failed to clear his lines first time however and Purcell nipped in to get the ball back before jinking past the defender and shooting past Ger Hanley.

Sullivan then set up his strike partner Willie John Kiely with an intelligent back heel on the edge of the box but he shot straight into the arms of Hanley on 19 minutes. A dangerous Rory Gaffney cross into the box was just missed by O’Rourke at the other end before the home side drew level. A long Gaffney throw from the right was flicked on by O’Rourke to Nicky Curran and he headed in over Kevin Burns to level matters at 1-1 after 23 minutes.

The lively Gareth Cambridge had a well struck effort brilliantly saved by Hanley four minutes later. Mervue broke down field where Burns matched that save with a fine stop from a curling Gaffney effort which was on target. Purcell then wasted a great chance after a Kiely flick set him up in front of goal but he volleyed high and over Hanley’s crossbar.

Mervue should have gone in leading at half time following a mistake by Seamus Long two minutes from the break which allowed Mark Ludden a clear run at goal but Burns advanced well to block his effort. Kenny Farrell’s cross from the loose ball then failed to find the unmarked Gaffney and Gerry Burke at the back post as the sides went in level at the break.

Two minutes after the re-start and Burns was back in action as he palmed away a Gaffney free-kick while another free-kick from Darren Young from 35 yards just cleared Burns crossbar.

At the other end an Alan Carey set piece was well held by Hanley and then Kevin Murray’s cross from the left hit the top of the crossbar after 55 minutes. A minute later Kevin Crehan played a lovely ball through the Waterford defence to release Gaffney into the box but he shot straight at Burns. The home team could have gone in front after 59 minutes following a cross from the left by Mark Ludden which picked out sub Evan Connolly but he screwed his effort badly wide in front of goals.

Mervue were to rue that missed opportunity as Waterford went back in front three minutes later as Gary Dunphy released Purcell down the left channel. Purcell picked out the unmarked Sullivan who applied the simple finish to make it 2-1. The visitors grabbed their third goal seven minutes later as Cambridge crossed from the left for Willie John Kiely to shoot past Hanley at his right hand post.

Mervue responded immediately as another Gaffney long throw from the left two minutes later was flicked on to Connolly who blasted home past Burns to reduce the margin back to 3-2. Mervue pushed forward throwing everything at the Waterford defence as they tried to retrieve something from the game.

Crehan played in Gaffney again on the left of the box but he pulled his shot wide and despite three minutes of added time the visitors held on to record a fifth straight league win and maintain their one hundred percent record.

Mervue United: Ger Hanley; Noel Varley, Mark Ludden, Damien O’Rourke, Nicky Curran (David O’Dowd 76 mins); Mike Tierney, Kenny Farrell (Alex Lee 66 mins), Kevin Crehan, Gerry Burke (Evan Connolly 54 mins); Rory Gaffney and Darren Young.
Subs not used: Enda Curran and Padraig Lally (GK).

Waterford Utd: Kevin Burns, Alan Carey, Seamus Long, Kevin Murray, John Kearney, Gareth Cambridge (David Grincell 70 mins), Gary Dunphy, Paul McCarthy (John Hayes 79 mins), Timmy Purcell (James O’Sullivan 85 mins), Willie John Kiely and Vinny Sullivan.
Sub not used: Paul Carey.

Referee – Stuart Templeman (Kerry)

Booked – Willie John Kiely and Seamus Long (Waterford Utd)

Attendance – 100 aprox

Extratime.ie Man of the Match – Rory Gaffney (Mervue Utd). Looked lively and dangerous throughout and his Rory Delap like long throws created both Mervue goals.