- Brendan White
- Sat, Apr 21 2018
Waterford moved back to third in the Premier Division table after a 3-0 win at home to Bray Wanderers on Friday night.
A Faysel Kasmi brace and a strike from Derek Daly ensured the Blues got back to winning ways after two defeats on the road.
Waterford started brightly as Courtney Duffus laid the ball off into the path of Kasmi after the striker had lost his footing, but Kasmi fired over the crossbar from just inside the penalty area.
Belgian Kasmi showed nice close control midway through the first half but his shot was straight at Wanderers keeper Aaron Dillon, before John Martin fired a left-footed shot wide of the near post.
Blues captain Paul Keegan had a good chance minutes later but his curling effort rolled narrowly wide of the far post.
After soaking up Waterford’s pressure, Bray looked to create themselves and it was Gary McCabe at the forefront. The midfielder’s deflected effort fell into the path of midfielder Ronan Coughlan, but he fired wide with the goal at his mercy from six yards.
Waterford's on-loan keeper Lawrence Vigouroux came to the rescue as Bray continued to push. Former Blues midfielder Cory Galvin turned provider for McCabe down the right side but his powerful strike was superbly saved by Vigouroux.
The Blues almost snatched the half-time lead in stoppage time. Izzy Akinade saw his looping effort strike the post, before John Kavanagh forced Dillon into a smart save. .
The Blues did grab the lead eight minutes into the second half through Kasmi. The midfielder saw his first effort blocked by a wall of Bray defenders before firing his second effort past the dive of Dillon.
The Blues continued to push and made sure of the three points in the final 10 minutes. Kasmi was again involved as he saw his strike blocked but Daly was on hand to fire right-footed past Dillon with the aid of a slight deflection.
And deep into stoppage time, Kasmi ensured his was the name on everybody’s lips leaving the ground with a superb low strike into the bottom corner to maintain the Blues' 100% home record.
Waterford: Lawrence Vigouroux; John Kavanagh (Dean Walsh), Kenny Browne, David Webster, Garry Comerford; John Martin (Dylan Barnett 76), Faysel Kasmi, Paul Keegan, Derek Daly; Izzy Akinade, Courtney Duffus (Dean O’Halloran 82).
Subs not used: Shane Griffin, Justin Croke, Darryl Walsh, Niall Corbet
Booked: David Webster, Garry Comerford, Faysel Kasmi
Bray Wanderers: Aaron Dillon; Daniel McKenna, Hugh Douglas, Conor Kenna, Kevin Lynch; Ronan Coughlan, Ryhs Gorman (Sean Heaney 60), Paul O’Conor, Cory Galvin; Gary McCabe, Jake Kelly (Daniel Kelly 60).
Subs not used: Ger Pender, Dylan Hayes, Calvin Rogers, Andrew McGovern, Evan Moran
Booked: None
Referee: Anthony Buttimer.
Attendance: 2,024.
Extratim.ie Player of the Match: Faysel Kasmi (Waterford).
