Waterford undone despite late Lonergan strike
Waterford's Padraig Amond and Matthew Healy of Shamrock Rovers go up for the header in their SSE Airtricity League Premier Division clash at RSC, Waterford. Photo: ©INPHO/Tom Maher
Waterford FC have moved further into relegation trouble after suffering a 2-1 loss to table-toppers Shamrock Rovers at the RSC where not even the threat of a first-half power cut could save John Coleman's side from defeat.
James Olayinka took advantage of a misplaced Adam Matthews pass on 14 minutes before racing at the visiting defence, but his powerful right-footed strike from 25 yards flew inches wide of Ed McGinty’s left-hand post.
The Blues were on the attack again on 23 minutes as Olayinka played a neat pass inside for Sam Glenfield, who let fly with a cracking strike from distance only for his effort to whistle wide of the target with McGinty scrambling across goal.
It took a stunning save from McMullan to deny the Tallaght outfit five minutes later when Matt Healy sent in a brilliant right-wing free that found the head of Dan Cleary, but the netminder got down low to his left to tip the ball around the posts.
After the Blues cleared the initial corner out for a throw, the league leaders took the lead from the resulting attack. Adam Matthews’ long throw was touched on by Cleary to the back post where Josh Honohan arrived on cue to finish at the back post.
Rovers made a triple change with 71 minutes on the clock and within sixty seconds, they doubled their lead. Graham Burke, who entered the fray for John McGovern, slipped the ball infield for Matt Healy, who turned onto his left-foot, and he beat keeper McMullan with a sweet 25-yard left-footed strike.
As time ticked down into the final minute, the home side pulled a goal back when Muhammadu Faal’s ball into the area was headed by Rovers defender Dan Cleary into the path of Tommy Lonergan, who powered a left-footed volley to the back of the net.
McMullan; Miles (Faal 88), Horton, Radkowski, Burke, Dempsey (White 81); Olayinka, Rossiter, Glenfield, Coyle (Lonergan 58); Amond.
McGinty; Cleary, Lopes, O’Sullivan; Matthews, Nugent, Healy, Honohan; Mandriou (Watts 71), McEneff (Gaffney 71), McGovern (Burke 71).
Rob Harvey (Dublin).
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