Shelbourne FC 3 Waterford FC 1
Waterford FC failed to stop the Shelbourne march towards the SSE Airtricity Premier Division title but a brave effort saw them come close to a shock at Tolka Park
Keith Long kept faith with the team that drew with Drogheda last week as he looked for their first win in five weeks. Waterford born Paddy Barrett was the only change for Shelbourne from the team that lost to Shamrock Rovers two weeks ago.
The opening exchanges were exciting as both teams endeavoured to play decent football in front of a 4755 crowd with the first chance falling to the home side when Ali Coote was denied by Sam Sargeant.
However, the Blues got the breakthrough on 37 minutes when Grant Horton was upended by John Martin and referee Rob Hennessy pointed to the penalty spot. Podge Amond calmly fired it into the bottom corner for the lead.
However, that lead lasted just three minutes when, as has happened a number of times this season, a defensive error allowed Shels back into the game. Darragh Leahy was caught in possession by Sean Boyd and he had plenty of time to slot the ball beyond Sargeant.
The visitors continued to play attacking football and a superb counterattack just after the hour nearly produced a result when Sargeant found Christie Pattisson and he played it first time into the area where Amond fired over the crossbar.
Waterford hearts were broken ten minutes from time when another penalty was awarded by Hennessy - this time it was Pattisson who was adjudged to have fouled Tyreke Wilson and Boyd fired home off the underside of the crossbar.
The Blues fought back looking for the equaliser and minutes later Conor Kearns was the Shels hero as he managed to get a foot to a Dean McMenamy shot to deny the visitors.
And Liam Burt made sure of the points a minute later when he curled a lovely effort beyond Sargent.
