Details

Date Time League Season
2 May 2022 2:00 pm LOI Men's First Division 2022

Match Report

10-Man Blues defeat Athlone

Ten man Waterford endured a frustrating but ultimately rewarding affair against bottom of the league Athlone today, winning 1-0 at the RSC.

Aaron Connolly proved to be somewhat of a creator for Athlone in this one. In the 19th minute, he got the ball on the right and placed his pass right at the feet of Carlton Ubaezuonu. His effort was denied at point blank range however by Brian Murphy.

Athlone started to gain momentum but as has been the case all season, a lack of finishing would cost them. In the 32nd minute Connolly again chipped a nice through ball for Shane Barnes, who like Ubaezuonu before him found himself one on one with Murphy, but hit the ball straight at him. Murphy hardly had to move a muscle.

On the brink of half time a huge moment occurred. Taylor, who’d been booked previously for a foul on Daniel Dobbins, fouled Connolly and earned a second yellow. Frustrating for Waterford, as it handed Athlone the advantage against all odds.

Waterford were conservative in their second half approach, looking not to leave themselves vulnerable and perhaps hit Athlone on the counter. Athlone had spells of possession but didn’t play with urgency, as if they’d be happy to take the draw from this.

The visitors nearly took the lead through a brilliant Stephen Kenny attempt in the 70th minute, when he cut onto his left and curled an effort at goal from the edge of the area. His effort would hit the bar, perhaps with a hand from Murphy in goal.

The chances not taken in the first half would bite Athlone in the 74th minute. Murphy played a long ball forward and Louis Britton came deep to meet it, flicking it on for Phoenix Patterson to give chase down the left. Patterson waited patiently for Britton to get in position and placed it at his feet, with Britton tapping it home for the decisive goal.

As usual, Athlone didn’t show urgency from this point. The match would end 1-0, with Athlone’s wait for their first win continuing.

Waterford

1Brian Murphy Goalkeeper
3Richard Taylor Defender 30'
44'
4Niall O’Keeffe Midfielder
6Eddie Nolan Defender
7Shane Griffin Midfielder
8Yassine En-Neyah 15 Midfielder 43'
9Louis Britton 10 Forward 74'
12Tunmise Sobowale 2 Defender
20Roland Idowu 18 Midfielder
24Killian Cantwell Defender
44Phoenix Patterson Midfielder
22Paul Martin Goalkeeper
2Darragh Power 12 Defender
5George Forrest Defender
10Cian Kavanagh 9 Forward
14Kevin Joshua Defender
15Jeremie Milambo 8 Defender
17Nigel Aris Midfielder
18Callum Stringer 20 Midfielder
31Liam Kervick Midfielder

Athlone Town

16Micheál Schlingermann Goalkeeper
2Daniel Dobbin Defender
3Derek Daly Defender
4Noah van Geenen 22 Defender
5Andy Spain Defender 95'
7Stephen Kenny Forward 45'
9Shane Barnes 11 Forward
12Aaron Connolly Midfielder
18Oisin Duffy 10 Midfielder
19Aaron McBride Defender
31Carlton Ubaezuonu 14 Midfielder
30Andrew Skerritt Goalkeeper
8Quincy Nkansah Midfielder
10Glen McAuley 18 Forward
11Thomas Oluwa 9 Forward
14Success Edogun 31 Forward
17Israel Kimazo Midfielder
20Gary Armstrong Forward
22Youri Habing 4 Midfielder
27Osaze Irhue Defender
  • 95'

    Full time. Waterford hang on.

  • 90'

    Four minutes added on.

  • 85'

    Oluwa fires a long ranger at Murphy. Five minutes remain for the visitors to salvage something.

  • 74'

    Goal! Louis Britton flicks on a Murohy kick to Patterson, who goes down the wing and squares it back to Britton for a tap in. Huge weight off their shoulders.

  • 70'

    Kenny cuts onto his left and curls a shot that hits the bar! Murphy may have gotten a touch.

  • 68'

    Idowu has a shot blocked and then it falls to Louis Britton who blazes over. Judging by how this half has gone, Waterford have to take a chance like that.

  • 65'

    Athlone are enduring spells of possession and the home crowd seem very frustrated with how this game has turned out.

  • 60'

    At the hour mark. Really dull so far this half. Ten men hampering Waterford and Athlone seem content with how it's going.

  • 51'

    Connolly hits a long one straight at Murphy.

  • 46'

    Waterford get us back underway.

  • 45'

    Half time.

  • 45'

    Bit of argy bargy between the sides. Stephen Kenny and Yaz El-Newah involved. Kenny booked for the incident.

  • 45'

    Murphy initially drops Daly's free but collects the second ball with ease.

  • 44'

    Huge moment. Taylor has just picked up a second yellow. Waterford are down to ten.

  • 36'

    Idowu flies down the right but his cross doesn't meet anyone. Has been threatening Athlone all game.

  • 32'

    Barnes is played in behind but shoots straight at Murphy. More bad finishing costing Athlone, as has been the case all season.

  • 24'

    Athlone have started to gain confidence going forward. Waterford have lost a tad bit of momentum.

  • 20'

    Schlingermann saves Taylor's header.

  • 19'

    Massive moment. Murphy denies Ubaezuonu at point blank range. Waterford then look to hit Athlone on the counter and earn a corner.

  • 18'

    Taylor comes inside and works a shot. Decent effort.

  • 8'

    En-Neyah hits one straight at Schlingermann.

  • 8'

    All Waterford to start. Athlone are a mess at the back.

  • 6'

    Eddie Nolan heads a cross over. Early set piece chance for the hosts.

  • 1'

    Athlone begin the game.

  • Teams are out. Kickoff is imminent.

  • Shane Barnes starts instead, which has been a rarity for him this season. Athlone will be hoping he can provide something a little different.

  • McAuley and Oluwa drop to the Athlone bench, both of whom missed notable chances Friday against Wexford. Then again, this may purely be to rotate the team.

  • The lineups are now in.

  • Hello and welcome to finalwhistle.ie for live updates of today's first division encounter between Waterford and Athlone Town, I'm Seán Comber and I'll be updating you throughout the evening.

Past Meetings

(Round 1)
2 - 5
LOI Men's First Division
Athlone Town Stadium

Athlone Town v Waterford

(1st Round)
4 - 4
FAI Cup
Athlone Town Stadium

Athlone Town v Waterford

Ground

Regional Sports Centre
Waterford Regional Sports Centre, Inner Ring Road, Kilbarry, Waterford, County Waterford, Munster, X91 KT29, Ireland

Formerly DCU Journalism, covering mainly Athlone teams for finalwhistle.ie