- Dylan O'Connell
- Sat, Mar 12 2022
Dylan O'Connell reports from the RSC
The Blues go marching on after a close-range finish from Phoenix Patterson saw Waterford beat Wexford 2-1 at the RSC.
After a Junior Quitirna penalty gave the home side a seventh minute lead, Conor Crowley scored an excellent free kick for Wexford on the half hour mark but Patterson delivered when it mattered for Ian Morris’ side who remain top of the First Division.
The result settled an explosive game which kicked into life when The Blues were given a seventh minute penalty following a handball. Quitirna was given the task of converting and he hit a low ball into the right-hand side of goal.
Waterford pushed up after scoring and they forced a number of chances through Shane Griffin and Patterson.
Ian Ryan screamed and roared to get men forward and this paid off when Eddie Nolan fouled Lorcan Fitzgerald, and a free kick was given to Wexford. Crowley stood over this and from a position of 25 meters out, he curled the ball around the wall and into the top right corner.
The buzz from the equaliser was short lived as a diverted shot dropped into Patterson’s path moments later and he finished cleanly.
Aaron Dobbs tormented Waterford at the start of the second half, but he was repeatedly denied by an organised defence and a stern Brian Murphy.
Louis Britton nearly got on the score sheet after a through ball from Roland Idowu split the Wexford back four. Hunt timed his run and just as the forward entered the box, the goalkeeper spread himself to divert Britton’s run. As he changed course, Hunt lunged down to pluck the ball from the forward’s path.
An excellent passage of play through the centre nearly led to an equalising goal. First a kickout was won by Dinny Corcoran, who played a quick pass to Conor Davis. He combined with Conor Barry, and he played the midfielder into space out wide. The quick-fire move caught Waterford off guard and Thomas Considine headed Barry’s ball off the cross bar.
Waterford were comfortable in the closing minutes in front of 1,876 spectators, who now look forward to a top of the table clash with Cork City on Monday evening.
Waterford: Brian Murphy; George Forrest, Jeremie Milambo, Darragh Power; Shane Griffin, Eddie Nolan (c), Phoenix Patterson, Junior Quitirna (Niall O'Keeffe 83), Anthony Wordsworth; Roland Idowu (Yassine En-Neyah 66), Louis Britton.
Subs not used: Paul Martin, Tunmise Sobowale, Dean Larkin , Nigel Aris, Romeo Akachukwu, Kevin Joshua.
Booked: Darragh Power (30), Louis Britton (39), Shane Griffin (67), Niall O'Keeffe (87).
Wexford: Paul Hunt; Len O'Sullivan, Aidan Friel (Thomas Considine 81), Paul Cleary, Adam Wells (Joseph Manley 85); Harry Groome (Conor Barry 65), Lorcan Fitzgerald, Conor Crowley; Aaron Dobbs, Conor Davis (Evan Farrell 85), Dinny Corcoran.
Subs not used: Alex Moody, Kevin McEvoy, Jordan Tallon, Mitchell Byrne, Luke Scanlon.
Booked: None.
Referee: Declan Toland
Attendance: 1,876
