Lonergan scores, but too little too late as Blues lose to Bohs
Waterford Fc Photos: Noel Browne
Former Blues manager Alan Reynolds brought his Bohemians side to the RSC on Saturday afternoon and the Dublin outfit came away with the win. Waterford manager Keith Long tried a new tactic as he started with Rowan McDonald playing in the heart of the defence with Kacper Radkowski and recent recruit Andy Boyle. In midfield, Ben McCormack and Dean McMenamy took their starting positions with Tommy Lonergan starting as a strike partner to Padraig Amond. The manager will be happy enough with the application his side showed especially in the second half but the boss will know that his side will need to sharpen up all over the pitch if the Blues are to be ready for the opening fixture of the new season away to Sligo Rovers at The Showgrounds on Valentines weekend.
After a fairly even opening start to the game it was Waterford whowent close early. The Blues' new striker Tommy Lonergan fired in a right wing cross that was met by the inrushing Ryan Burke but his header flew just over the bar. On 10 minutes, Bohs put together a decent move with Keith Buckley playing in Dawson Devoy but Stephen McMullan in the home goal advanced to make a fine save. Seven minutes later, Rowan McDonald split the visitors defence with a clever pass to Padraig Amond but the Blues top goalscorer from last season saw his shot smothered comfortably by Bohs keeper James Talbot. 28 minutes into game, Dayle Rooney played a neat one two with Dawson Devoy but as the Bohs striker lined up his shot, Ben McCormack recovered to make a goal saving tackle. At the other end new boy Navajo Bakboord played a long ball onto the head of Padraig Amond and his downward header was picked up by Tommy Lonergan who sprayed the ball wide to Ryan Burke but his left foot strike on the run flew just wide of the far post. Bohs took the lead on 37 minutes, Ryan Burke fouled Ross Tierney in the box and referee Gavin Keyes pointed to the spot. Up stepped Dayle Rooney and he shot low and hard into the far corner of the net, past the diving Stephen McMullen. It was 2-0 on 44 minutes. With half time looming, Bohs defender Rob Cornwall played a long ball forward to Trailist 1 who turned sharply before hitting a 25 yard screamer that flew into the top corner of the net beyond the despairing dive of the Blues keeper.
Waterford opened up the second period on the attack and at last they started to get behind the Bohs defence but they failed to create any good chances until the 65th minute. A free by Ben McCormack caused confusion in the visitors defence. The ball fell to Tommy Lonergan and the big striker showed a neat touch but he fired the ball way over the top. Then Dean McMenamy got on the end of a deep cross from Ben McCormack but James Talbot finger tipped the ball over the bar. Two minutes later, the Bohs keeper pulled off a terrific double save. The first one came as Dean McMenamy found space in the box but Talbot advanced to smother the shot, the rebound fell to Padraig Amond but the Bohs keeper was quick to get back on his feet the save at his near post. Bohs regained their composure and enjoyed a lot of possession with 15 minutes left without creating any worthwhile chances. The Blues pushed forward and there was no lack of effort with James Olayinka making some late runs into the box. Waterford won a late penalty kick on 92 minutes, Ben McCormack was fouled in the box and Tommy Lonergan thumped home the spot kick as the referee blew the final whistle.
