- Shane Bradley
- Sat, Apr 06 2013
Waterford United got their first three points of the season against ten men Athlone Town at the RSC on Friday night. However this game will not be in the memory too long as it was a very dull affair with both sides creating very few clear opportunities.
The Blues wont mind however as they ground out a 1-0 win. They were helped however by what was undoubtedly the key moment in the game when Roddy Collins Junior was given a straight red card for his rash challenge on Paul Quilty after 16 minutes.
Waterford dominated possession in the opening quarter but to no avail, and when Collins was given his marching orders the Blues were expected to kick on. But they failed to create any clear chances in the first half, apart from Paudie Quinn’s long range effort. Along with a tame shot from Robbie Clarke for Athlone, these were the highlights in what was a first half to forget.
In the second half United used Paul Quilty down the left wing as their main threat and his low cross was almost flicked in by Paudie Quinn in the 48th minute. Daragh Walshe, who replaced Quinn, sent a low ball across the danger area only for Paul Skinner to gather in the Athlone goal.
In the last quarter Barry Clancy cleared off the Athlone line from a Vinny Sullivan header off a Paul Quilty corner. In the 78th minute the all important goal came when Peter Higgins on the right wing whipped the ball in from a short corner. There was a scramble on the goalmouth and centre half David Breen poked the ball home from 10 yards to the relief of the Blues crowd.
An important three points for the Blues as they pick up their first win of the campaign. Athlone will be disappointed as the sending off limited them to very few chances and Blues net-minder Craig Hyland had a very comfortable night. This game will certainly not be getting game of the season for entertainment, but Paul O’Brien’s troops won’t mind.
Waterford United: Craig Hyland; Dylan Mernagh, David Breen, Gavin Kavanagh, Michael Coady; Peter White, Paul Quilty, Conor Coad (Aidan McGrath 90+2), Peter Higgins; Vinny Sullivan, Paudie Quinn (Daragh Walshe 65).
Subs not used: Chip Sanders, Jamie Cross, Gavin O’Donovan, David Cooley, Conor Whittle.
Athlone Town: Paul Skinner; Roddy Collins Jnr, Conor McMahon, Aidan Collins, Barry Clancy; Garvan Broughall (Niall Lanigan 86), Niall Scullion, Mark Hughes, Robbie Clarke; Garvan Coughlan (Sodiq Oguntola 86), Ryan Coombes (Ian Sweeney 68).
Subs not used: Craig Sexton, Neil Harney, Jonathan Kelty, Lee Dixon.
Referee: Keith Callanan.
Attendance: 345
Extratime Man of the match: Paul Quilty (Waterford United).
