Ray Scott reports...
Waterford took all three points in this SSE Airtricity League First Division clash but Athlone may feel hard done by as they controlled the game for long periods.
The Blues started brightly and while there were early half-chances from Shane Griffin the first real opportunity came on 18 minutes when Richard Taylor picked up the ball and skipped around 3 tackles before his right-footed effort flew outside the upright.
Brian Murphy saved Waterford blushes seconds later when he saved from close range after Carlton Ubaezuonu found himself in space.
And he was again well placed on 32 minutes when Shane Barnes got behind the defence but his shot was a weak one.
Waterford did come close from a Phoenix Patterson corner but the ball came off an Athlone head and flew just outside the upright on 35 minutes.
74' GOAAALL BLUES 1-0 Louis Britton!!! Brilliant - Murphy finds the head of Britton who flicks on for Patterson. Britton races into the box for Patterson's pull back and finishes brilliantly.
1-0 #WFCvATFC pic.twitter.com/ek2GG3sDNM— Waterford FC (@WaterfordFCie) May 2, 2022
The home side were reduced to ten men on the stroke of halftime when Taylor was sent off for a second bookable offence and that advantage helped Athlone to grow into the game in the second half.
However, they had little to show for it despite dominating possession and Brian Murphy was excellent in the Waterford goal.
The breakthrough came courtesy of a Murphy long kick out which was flicked into the path of Patterson by Britton. Patterson then held off two defenders before slipping the ball inside for Britton who had continued his run and he fired home from close range.
Athlone came searching for an equaliser but Waterford used all their experience and held on for what might prove to be a vital 3 points.
