Brilliant Waterford hit a magnificent seven to overcome Midlands challenge
The Waterford League squad who beat Midlands in the SFAI U13 Cup at workLAB Connors Park on Sunday last. Photo: Paul Elliott
The Waterford League advanced to the knockout stages of the SFAI U13 National Cup after this confident win over the Midlands at workLAB Connors Park on Sunday afternoon last.
Waterford were always in control of this Cup tie, with Cuinn Carroll solid as a rock at centre back, Jarlath Hurney and Darragh Sutton Wyse in charge of the midfield, and the excellent Tadgh Nolan a goal-scoring threat up front.
It was the visitors who had the first chance of the game with four minutes played. Stephen Kelly whipped in a cross that found Noah Axwi at the far post, but Waterford defender Dan O’Sullivan headed off the line.
Waterford hit back, and four minutes later, Darragh Sutton Wyse stepped inside onto his right foot, but his powerful drive crashed back off the crossbar. Minutes later, Jarlath Hurney slipped a clever pass into the run of Tadgh Nolan, but the striker pulled his shot wide of the far post.
The home side took the lead on 12 minutes when John Mike Fitzpatrick spotted the run of Tadgh Nolan, and the young striker showed his class with a superb finish. Waterford doubled their lead four minutes later. John Mike Fitzpatrick drove in a corner kick that the visitors' defence failed to clear, and up popped Jarlath Hurney to head into the roof of the net.
A third goal arrived on 21 minutes when Cian Dillon took on the Midlands defence, but his shot came back off the foot of the post; the ever-alert Alan Maryniak was on hand to knock the rebound. The visitors kept the tie alive when they pulled a goal back just before half-time, when Tom Ronayne scored from close range.
Waterford made a good start to the second half and added a fourth goal on 40 minutes when Fareed Alabi raced to the end line, and when he pulled the ball back, Tadgh Nolan was well placed to score from eight yards.
With 51 minutes on the clock, Waterford added a fifth goal. Cuinn Carroll sent Fareed Alba in on goal, and the speedy winger fired a low shot into the far corner of the net. Waterford then won a penalty on 54 minutes. Fareed Alabi fired in a powerful shot that the keeper parried, Thomas Farrell followed up on the rebound and was taken down. Up stepped Jamie Pender to score from the spot.
Midlands scored their second goal on 56 minutes when Christopher Coyne scored from just inside the box. Waterford scored their seventh goal and completed the scoring with a seventh goal on 59 minutes. Jamie Pender fired in a left-wing corner, and Darragh O’Connor found the net with a near-post finish.
Rudi Wagner, Dan O’Sullivan, Conor Doyle, Cuinn Carroll, Jackson Swift, Jarlath Hurney, John Mike Fitzpatrick, Darragh Sutton Wyse, Tadgh Nolan, Alan Maryniak, Cian Dillon, Darragh O’Connor, Jamie Pender, Fareed Alba, Dionis Sopiko, Johnny Gleeson, Rhys Hughes, Tommy O’Hanlon, Thomas Farrell, Brody Campbell, Jack Barry, Luke Casey.
Sam Mallet, Darragh Kelly, Cian Buckley, Daniel Dwyer, Tiernan Coyne, Donnach Connolly, Ronan Conlen, Chris Coyne, TJ. Avimp, Stephen Kelly, Noah Axwi, Tom Ronaune, Jack O’Reilly, Pat Gringe.
Johnny Mullowney
