Match Report: Waterford 1-1 Dundalk FC

Photo by Gerry Scully

A tough battle at the RSC after travelling to Waterford to face the blues for our 4^th meeting of the season. After a flurry of exchanging blows for 90 minutes and with no team able to claim superiority, it ended a 1-1 draw with both teams splitting points on the night.

Waterford wasted no time testing Enda Minogue with an early shot by Jorgen Voilas pushed as far as Padraig Amond on the follow up allowing Minogue the chance to pull off a tremendous double save.

It was an edge of your seat affair early on with both sides creating strong chances to score but it was an own goal by John Mahon that gave Dundalk the lead in the 20^th minute off a Wilson cross.

Waterford were fast responding with 2 leaping headers by Amond and Kevin Long forcing Minogue back into action again.

It was a tense, even contest until Hayden McCann stepped up in the 36^th minute securing an equalizer for the home side off the back of a Waterford corner.

Momentum swung Waterford’s way for much of the time remaining with Dundalk’s strong defense maintaining the tie game heading into the break.

Photo by Gerry Scully

It was a back and forth start to the second half with the first big chance not coming until the 55^th minute when Shane Tracey’s foul gave Waterford a free kick on the edge of the box, but it was smothered by Minogue.

Dundalk had a response of their own three minutes later when Horgan stepped up to a free kick from outside the area, but his effort glided over the bar.

There was certainly no lack of bite as the game headed into the final third with both teams desperate to take the lead.

Waterford found themselves with a great chance in the 75^th minute after Voilas created space wide and sent in a well-placed cross to Thomas Lonergan but Lonergan was just unable to get his head on it.

Aodh Dervin attempted to respond in turn after a Waterford clearance fell to him outside the box, but his zipping shot inched wide.

It was the 87^th minute that perhaps saw the most critical moment of the game after Amonds shot on goal beats Minogue to potentially win Waterford the game but an athletic goal line clearance by Grivosti held onto the draw.

A flurry of Waterford attacks ensued but Dundalk’s defense managed to hold onto the draw until the final whistle to take a point home to Dundalk.

Dundalk: Minogue, Animasahun, Horgan, Dillon, Gaxha (McDaid 60’), Teahan, Vassenin (Groome 72’), Tracey (Burns 60’), Buckley (Dervin 60’), Wilson (Warren 60’), Grivosti

Waterford: McMullan, Couto, Mahon, Mawene,  McLaughlin, Amond, Noonan, Long, McCann, Lonergan, Voilas