New boy Jorgen Voilas hits a brace as Blues edge out Cobh
Jordan Faria in possession for Waterford FC in their Munster Senior Cup victory over Cobh Ramblers.
Two goals from new Blues striker Jorgen Voilas sent Waterford FC into the semi-final of the Munster Senior Cup as they overcame Cobh Ramblers in a cracking five-goal thriller at Ben Wadding Park on Saturday night last.
Waterford held a two-goal lead as the game passed the hour mark, but Frannie Rockett’s team came roaring back to score twice and force the game to extra time.
However, Jurgen Voilas (a 27-year-old Norwegian striker who’s pace and eye for a goal will be a big asset to John Daly’s Premier squad) headed the winner to clinch an excellent result for Eddie Nolan’s young side.
Cobh had the first chance of the game with only five minutes on the clock, as Wilson Waweru turned sharply in the Blues box but he fired over Jason Healy’s crossbar. Former Blue Anthony Adenopo then had another chance for Cobh on eight minutes as he picked up a Rhys Gourdie pass, but the winger shot wide of the near post.
Waterford went close to taking the lead on 16 minutes, Jordan Faria sent in an in-swinging free kick that found the head of Peter Byrne but his close range header crashed against the crossbar. On 25 minutes the Blues hit the front, Adam Coyne sent a free kick to the far post and with the Cobh defence ball-watching, Jorgen Voilas stole a yard and make no mistake with a well taken goal.
Cobh pressed for an equaliser but Blues captain Sean Keane was magnificent at centre back making some crucial tackles and he also won some important headers inside the box.
Cobh started the second half in attacking fashion and forced the Blues to defend in numbers. On the hour mark, Jason Healy was called into action as he raced from his goal to save at the feet of Rhys Gourdie.
On 62 minutes Waterford doubled their lead, Jordan Faria went flying down the left before delivering a near post cross. Cobh full back Luka Le Bevert beat Voilas to the cross but diverted the ball into his own goal.
The two-goal lead only lasted two minutes before Cobh pulled a goal back. Kai O’Neill chipped the ball to the back post and Gourdie was free at the far post to head past the exposed Healy.
Cobh held the advantage at this stage and they scored a deserved equaliser on 77 minutes. Healy saved at the far post from Rhys Noonan Kelly, but the rebound fell kindly for Wilson Waweru and his diving header found the far corner of the net.
The tie was settled seven minutes into the first period of extra time and it was a thing of beauty. Substitute Trae Coyle made a yard down the right flank and put in an inch-perfect cross with plenty of pace. Jorgen Voilas peeled off his marker to send a glorious far-post header into the top corner of the net.
The Blues defended well for the remainder and now take a semi-final spot with Cork City, Kerry FC or Rockmount AFC. The draw is this Thursday at 11am.
Jason Healy, Adam Coyne, Sean Keane, Romeo Lapite, Peter Byrne (Cala Orion ‘81), Noah O’Brien, Jordan Faria, Jessie Dempsey, Jan Wozniak (Trae Coyle ‘61, Aron Cass ‘111), Mohammed Oladiti (Bobby Keohan ‘112) , Jorgen Voilas.
Corey Chambers, Callum Honohan, Brendan Frahill (S Hyde ‘111), Wilson Waweru, Rhys Gourdie, Kia O’Neill (E Deasy ‘102), Anthony Adenopo (Ryan Noonan Kelly ‘65), Oran Crowe, Claudio Osorio, Garry Buckley, Luka Le Bervet (Brian Linehan ‘75).
Gary Fitzgerald.
