Waterford FC 4 Sligo Rovers 0

Waterford FC gave themselves a fighting chance of avoiding relegation from the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division with a deserved victory over ninth placed Sligo Rovers at the RSC.

They closed the gap to just five points with a controlled performance that saw Padraig Amond with a hat trick and Jorgen Voilas also scoring while the clean sheet was also a welcome result and the three points could prove pivotal as the season progresses.

Graham Coughlan welcomed back two players from suspension and injury as Luke Heeney returned to the midfield while Jordan Houston was restored at right wing back as Sam Glenfield and Conan Noonan dropped to the bench.

While Sligo forced two early corners, the Blues defence held firm and they grew into the game with the first goal coming just after midway in the opening period when a Jordan Houston shot was deflected into the path of Amond and he made no mistake.

Jorgen Voilas was only on the field 36 seconds when he got Waterford’s second as he met a flick on from Kevin Long who sent Will Johnson’s long throw in into the six yard box and the Norwegian blasted home from close range.

Conan Noonan handed Amond his second on a plate 18 minutes from time when he slipped the ball square to the striker and he slipped it past Sam Sargeant and the veteran striker scored his third two minutes later when Sam Glenfield sent Voilas away and he had the simple task of finding Amond who skipped around Sargeant before firing home.

Waterford FC: McMullan, Houston, Cann, Mahon (Barrett 82′), Long, Couto, McMenamy (Noonan 63′), Johnson, Heeney (Glenfield 63′), Lonergan (Voilas 66′), Amond

Sligo Rovers: Sargeant, McElroy, Denham, McHale, Essua, Patton, Fitzgerald, McManus, Nolan (Zefi 68′), O Kane, Kavanagh (traore 68′)

Referee: Declan Toland