4 v 4 
WaterfordDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 July 2021 | 7:45 pm | FAI Cup | 2021 |
Match Report
Waterford advance in Cup after extra-time drama
After a rollercoaster evening of eight goals, four red cards and 120 minutes + of action; and an unforgettable finish, Waterford headed through to the next round of the FAI Cup after a wild night in Athlone, beating the home side 4-2 on penalties after a 4-4 draw.
Athlone were inspired by new signing Glen McAuley’s hattrick, but in the end that little difference in quality saw the Premier outfit through. This game had it all.
The opening 40 minutes of this game didn’t produce a goal but both sides played nice football. New signing Glen McAuley dropped deep often and played good passes through to Derek Daly bombing down the left wing. At the other end, Darragh Power bombed forward from right back, causing numerous chances.
On 40 minutes, the breakthrough came. A cross into the Athlone area wasn’t well dealt with by Garry Comerford, whose clearance found Anthony Wordsworth on the edge of the area. The Blues midfielder cut onto his left foot and curled it into the bottom left. A quality finish.
Then Wordsworth turned part provider for the second in the 53rd minute. A decent ball for Armando Junior Quitirna let the left winger operate freely. Junior dribbled past three Athlone players en route to the box and laid it off for Shane Griffin, who fired it into the roof of the net. It was at this point that Waterford looked to be headed through with ease.
Few chances came before the turning point in the 69th minute. After a foul which saw an Athlone free given, Wordsworth kicked the ball away. He had been booked for a tactical foul in the first half and the ref decided a second yellow was appropriate. Waterford now found themselves down to ten men.
From that point on, the hosts smothered them with pressure. Adrian Carberry’s side found a second wind and new signing McAuley was all the rage. In the 76th minute, he despatched a penalty after a Waterford handball to give Athlone a lifeline.
The last ten minutes defined this game. After bursting down the right flank, Athlone got the ball into the Waterford box where it found the feet of Stephen Meaney. Meaney took it first time and found the equaliser, no less than what Athlone deserved.
Then on the brink of injury time, Athlone once again tried their luck with a long ball into the box. Once again, Waterford handballed. Glen McAuley scored to give his new side the lead and it looked like a magical cup comeback was complete.
But the seemingly rudderless Waterford didn’t lie down. The Blues managed to win a late corner and a glancing header from substitute Greg Halford sunk Athlone hearts and sent us to extra time. The celebrations of Marc Bircham got him sent from the dugout however.
Extra time nearly came and went without any action. Athlone did have a penalty claim for a push in the back that was waved away and manager Adrian Carberry was sent off for his protests, so both managers had to leave their dugouts. Both teams seemed fatigued and just wanted to decide their fate on penalties.
In the last minute however, a long ball forward forced young Athlone goalie Kayleum Rice off his line to save an effort and force a corner. The ensuing corner caused a game of ping pong in front of the Athlone net and it was George Forrest who rose highest and put it in for a certain game winner.
Or did he? From the ensuing kickoff, Athlone lined all their players up on the left hand side and got them to bomb forward. The plan was to lay it off to Glen McAuley, who would put it up there and hopefully luck would turn their way.
McAuley got a different idea. When the ball was laid off to him, he noticed Waterford keeper Paul Martin off his line by some distance. Ten yards inside his own half, he decided he was going to test him. A ballsy idea that paid off. McAuley’s effort flew over Martin, who could only manage a fingertip. It sailed in and Lissywollen exploded. McAuley must have scored the goal of the domestic season.
From there penalties was played. Waterford were 3-2 up when Jack Reynolds stepped up. The Athlone youngster had his penalty saved and Waterford scored their fourth to make it so that Dylan Hand had to score his. His effort was tipped on to the post and so came an end to this crazy night.
Carberry and his side have nothing to be ashamed of. They pushed a premier team all the way and may have a gem in Glen McAuley. Carberry may find himself subject to a touchline ban however.
Waterford will be pleased at the outcome but the process was hell. The sending off gave Athlone life and cause them totally unneeded stress. Like Carberry, Bircham may also face a ban.
But the Blues are through. Hopefully for Waterford, this crazy night is all worth it come the end of the season.
Timeline
| 23' | 40. Anthony Wordsworth | |
| 40' | 40. Anthony Wordsworth | |
| 52' | Jeremie Milambo Greg Halford | |
| 53' | 23. Shane Griffin | |
| David Brookes Killian Cantwell | 62' | |
| 69' | 40. Anthony Wordsworth | |
| Jamie Hollywood Stephen Meaney | 70' | |
| Derek Daly Oisin Duffy | 70' | |
| Shane Barnes Brandon McCann | 70' | |
| 25. Glen McAuley | 76' | |
| 76' | Armando Junior Quitirna Max Hutchison | |
| 82' | Cian Kavanagh Isaac Tshipamba Mulowayi | |
| Stephen Meaney | 84' | |
| 25. Glen McAuley | 90' | |
| 90' | Greg Halford | |
| 12. Jack Reynolds | 95' | |
| Aidan Friel Ray O'Sullivan | 101' | |
| 101' | Darragh Power Tunmise Sobowale | |
| 5. Daniel McKenna | 116' | |
| Daniel McKenna Tumelo Tlou | 119' |
Ground
| Athlone Town Stadium |
|---|
| Athlone Town Stadium, Old Rail Trail, Garrycastle, Athlone East Rural Electoral Division, The Municipal District of Athlone — Moate, County Westmeath, Leinster, N37 N1F2, Ireland |
Dylan Hand's penalty is saved. Waterford win 4-2 and advance on a crazy night.
Martin scores. 4-2.
Reynolds penalty is saved. Waterford have the advantage.
Tshipamba scores.
McAuley scores for Athlone. 2-2.
Evans scores for Waterford
Comerford scores for Athlone
Griffin scores the first for Waterford.
We're headed to extra time after a crazy end.
I don't believe it! McAuley gets a hattrick and hits it in from sixty yards! Incredible!
Waterford score! Ball not dealt with in the penalty area and Waterford put it in! Surely a winner now.
Very controversial call from the ref after he waves down a push in the back in the box. Adrian Carberry has been sent off for his protests. Both managers out of the dugouts now.
Half time in extra time here. Athlone will get us underway for the second half
Reynolds booked.
Paul Martin once again off his line quickly to scoop a loose ball. Been very good tonight.
Waterford start extra time.
Full time and we're headed to extra time after a wild last fifteen. It's all up in the air as to how it will end.
Halford gets a late equaliser, incredible scenes. Waterford manager and assistant are sent off for their celebrations.
McAuley slots it in! Athlone may be heading through! What a debut for the youngster!
Late penalty to Athlone! A chance to win it after another handball!
Athlone deserved that. Had been on top since the red card. Extra time looks certain now.
Goal for Athlone! Stephen Meaney equalises after hitting it first time inside the box.
McAuley slots it in after the handball. Pressure on Waterford now.
Penalty Athlone.
Wordsworth gets a second yellow after kicking the ball away after Athlone get a free. Might put some doubt in Waterford minds.
McAuley tripped in box but waved away again. Waterford might have gotten away with one there.
Killian Cantwell comes on. Seem to be playing a 3-5-2 now.
Athlone changing their shape. David Brookes makes way.
Waterford double their lead. Great play bursting forward by Junior, who lays it off to Griffin who fired it into the roof of the net. Arrows pointed towards the next round for the Blues now.
Replaced by new signing Greg Halford.
Early second half change for the Blues. Milambo makes way.
Could be a controversial one from the ref. McAuley flicks the ball over Eddie Nolan and goes down, but the official waves it away. Nolan wasn't too pleased with McAuley going down.
Waterford get us underway for the second half.
Half time and it's 1-0 Waterford. Athlone proving to be decent opponents for the Premier Division outfit, but a nice finish from Wordsworth has them heading in ahead. All to play for in the second half.
Now Power gets away with one. Looked to head a long ball back to Martin, but it lacked conviction and McAuley nearly seized the chance. Martin got out quick to collect the ball however.
Chance for Athlone from a corner. Low cross that was met by Dylan Hand, but he only finds the side net.
Goal for Waterford. Comerford fails to clear the ball effectively from a cross and it finds its way to Wordsworth on the edge of the area, who cuts in on his left and curls it bottom corner.
Good chance for Athlone on the counter attack. Jamie Hollywood plays a great ball over the Blues defence to Derek Daly who takes it first time on the half volley, but just fires over.
Darragh Power with a nice bit of play, getting into the Athlone box and firing a cross across the face of goal. None of his teammates could get a touch on the enticing cross, however.
Wordsworth is booked for a tactical foul, tripping Daly off the ball.
Reynolds seems fine to carry on.
Game paused for a water break. Jack Reynolds being tended to for an apparent shoulder injury.
Wordsworth attempted a worldie with his left foot that was headed for the top right, but Kayleum Rice pulled off a great save to tip it wide.
Athlone with a good chance after somewhat of a scramble in the six yard box, but brave goalkeeping from Paul Martin snuffed out the danger.
Derek Daly had gotten through after a nice ball from McAuley, but his touch let him down. Ensuing corner brought nothing.
And we're off. Athlone get us underway
Kickoff is now imminent.
New signing Glen McCauley starts, along with Kayleum Rice who replaces an injured Michael Schlingermann. Other new signing Tommy Holland makes the bench.
Here we go. Athlone lineup now in.
Fifteen minutes until kick off. Still awaiting Athlone's lineup.
Waterford lineup in now in.
Athlone of course will be looking to move on from their last appearance in this competition, the semi final loss to Dundalk last year that was an 11-0 thumping, a cruel experience for Adrian Carberry's young side.
Waterford manager Marc Bircham, via the club's Twitter page earlier today: "We're in good form and we want to keep that going. We will be going up there to do a job and get ourselves into the next round of the cup."
These two old foes haven't met since 2017 and a lot has changed since. Athlone have an outside chance at promotion whilst Waterford are looking to avoid relegation. How much stock each manager will put into tonight's game will be interesting to see.
Hello and welcome to finalwhistle.ie for tonight's FAI Cup clash between Athlone Town and Waterford, I'm Sean Comber and I'll be updating you throughout the match.