Blues back in relegation dogfight after narrow Dalymount defeat
Waterford's Tommy Lonergan reacts to a missed penalty. Photo: INPHO/Bryan Keane
Waterford FC slipped back into the SSE Airtricity Premier Division relegation play-off spot as former Blues defender Ryan Burke struck the decisive goal in a 2-1 victory for Bohemian FC at Dalymount Park on Friday night.
Just a week after Graham Coughlan's side had ended Bohs' FAI Cup hopes with a 2-0 semi-final win at the same venue, Alan Reynolds' men gained a measure of revenge thanks to Burke's second-half winner in a fiercely contested encounter.
The hosts made a bright start and almost found the breakthrough inside 30 seconds. Connor Parsons collected possession on the left, turned his marker and drove a right-footed effort towards goal, but Stephen McMullan was equal to the attempt.
Waterford responded on nine minutes when Tommy Lonergan picked out Conan Noonan on the left. The winger delivered an inviting ball into the area looking for Lonergan's return run, but a collision with Jordan Houston prevented the striker from getting a decisive touch.
Bohs took the lead three minutes later from a set piece. Jordan Flores delivered an excellent corner to the back post where Sam Todd rose highest to power a header beyond McMullan and into the net.
The home side threatened a second on 36 minutes when Burke ghosted in at the back post to meet another Flores delivery, but his effort lacked power and was comfortably gathered by McMullan.
Waterford levelled two minutes later. Padraig Amond's dangerous cross from the left eventually fell to Luke Heeney, whose effort was tipped onto the crossbar by Patrick Walters. From the resulting Benny Couto corner, Amond was left unmarked at the back post and headed emphatically into the roof of the net.
The Blues were handed a golden opportunity to move ahead four minutes after the restart. Couto's long throw caused problems in the Bohs box and John Mahon was adjudged to have been pushed by Cian Byrne. Referee Paul McLaughlin pointed to the spot, but Lonergan dragged his penalty wide with Walters diving the opposite direction.
The missed opportunity proved hugely costly.
Burke almost made Waterford pay just before the hour mark when neat interplay between Parsons and Harry Vaughan created an opening for the left-back, but McMullan produced an excellent save at his near post.
The former Waterford man would not be denied on 64 minutes. After good work by Sam Diallo, Burke collected possession on the left, skipped past two challenges and drilled a low right-footed shot beyond McMullan to restore Bohs' advantage.
Waterford pushed for an equaliser during the closing stages. Couto saw a goalbound effort brilliantly blocked by Byrne on 73 minutes, while Kevin Long's late effort caused panic inside the Bohs penalty area, but the Dublin side stood firm to secure the points.
Walters; Power, Byrne, Todd, Burke (Hickey 79); Flores, Diallo (Morahan 74); Tierney, Vaughan (Strods 74), Parsons (Rooney 90+3); James-Taylor (Whelan 74).
McMullan; Houston (McMenamy 86), Cann, Mahon, Long, Couto; Heeney (McLaughlin 79), Mawene (Voilas 79), Noonan; Lonergan, Amond.
Paul McLaughlin
4,011.
