Waterford United 1 - 0 Longford Town

• Dean Hayes
• Fri, Jul 01 2011


Waterford United claimed three points at the RSC and went ahead of their opponents Longford Town in the league table thanks to a 73rd minute penalty from Paul Murphy.

The Blues were deserved winners, spending the game on the front-foot in what was a less than enjoyable spectacle, as the away side put their emphasis on defending and attacked almost solely through long-balls over the Waterford back-line.

The match began with the home side on the front-foot but without showing much threat. Longford did have to endure an early scare, but this was mostly of their own doing as goalkeeper Paul Hunt failed to gather a routine high-ball in the shadow of his own crossbar. Blues striker Willie John Kiely tumbled under the close attention of his marker but Waterford's penalty appeals were waved away. A fair call it seemed from referee Kevin O'Regan, as Kiely made little effort to jump and challenge for the dropping ball.

Just three minutes later however, Waterford crafted a chance all of their own making. Winger Dwayne Wilson found himself in space down the left and his cross was flicked over from just inside the six-yard box by Paul Walsh.

The game became increasingly scrappy as the first half wore on, with neither side capable of asserting their dominance. Longford managed their first real opening of the game on 17 minutes as Lee Roche slid a delicate through-ball into the right-hand channel for strike-partner Don Cowan but Blues 'keeper Kevin Burns reacted brilliantly to charge down the forward's shot and gather the loose ball.

The home side were certainly struggling to recreate the excellent form that had seen them conquer Munster-rivals Cork City the week before with much of their play bypassing the midfield. It increasingly seemed that Waterford's best chance of a goal would be from a cross from the wings.

This was almost the case when, on 29 minutes, Conor Sinnott delivered an inviting ball from the right onto the head of Kiely who could only guide his effort over Hunt's crossbar. WIth Longford looking comfortable there was a tangible sense of frustration creeping into Waterford's play. This manifested itself just before the half-time whistle when full-back Michael Coady raced after an over-hit through-ball on the overlap and lunged at the covering defender to earn a deserved caution.

The second-half picked up right where the first had left off with Waterford edging the possession stakes but unable to break down a decidedly settled Longford rear-guard. It was the visitors, though, who had the first significant effort on goal. Just under ten minutes into the half, Waterford failed to clear a low cross from the right and the ball fell to Mark Salmon in space at the back post, but the Town midfielder could only drag his shot well wide of Burns' goal.

The game opened up for the first time at this point, as less than a minute later Conor Sinnott cut inside from the right and unleashed a vicious drive from 25-yards which Hunt did excellently well to claw away from his far top corner.

On 61 minutes Waterford managed another good chance, this time from a set-piece. Sinnott whipped over a corner from the right which dropped kindly at the back post for Kenny Browne, but the Blues centre-half saw his shot on the spin cleared off the line by Des Hope.

The breakthrough finally came on 73 minutes when Waterford striker Paul Murphy shifted the ball beyond Paddy Collins in the Longford area and was taken down just before the end line. Collins received a booking, though the decision looked a touch harsh. Murphy stepped up and sent Hunt the wrong way to give the home side a deserved lead.

They almost doubled that lead on 83 minutes when Murphy was played clean through, but his deft touch beyond Hunt came back off the post. Longford tried in vain to seek out an eqaulising goal but having spent most of the game on the back foot, they struggled to mount a serious retort to the Waterford goal. The home side saw out the game with little concern to claim a valuable three points and make it three league wins on the spin. The new era at the RSC is beginning to bear fruit.

Waterford United: Kevin Burns (GK); Seamus Long, Kenny Browne, Kevin Murray, Michael Coady; Paul Walsh, Conor Sinnott, Gary Dunphy, Dwayne Wilson (Gary Keane 70); Willie John Kiely (Brian Nolan 90), Paul Murphy.
Subs not used: Paul Carey, Sean Maguire, Lee Chin, Sean Barron.

Longford Town: Paul Hunt (GK); Gary Cronin, Des Hope, Chris Deans, Paddy Collins; Craig Walsh (Daniel Reilly 82), Mark Salmon, Thomas Hyland, Cathal Brady (Jacques Morley 68); Lee Roche (Alan McGreal 75), Don Cowan.
Subs not used: Darren Carberry, Stephen Conlon.

Referee: Kevin O'Regan.
Attendance: 615.
extratime.ie Man of the Match: Paul Murphy (Waterford United). The Blues front-man looked dangerous throughout and in a game of unremarkable individual performances, his was the most telling contribution at the final whistle.