Three first-half goals set Waterford FC on their way to a final league win of the regular season as they beat Athlone Town 4 - 2 at the RSC last night. It seemed assured by halftime but ended up anything but.
The Blues opened the scoring on 18 minutes when a Phoenix Patterson corner was parried by the goalkeeper and into the path of Wassim Aouachria who headed home from close range.
They doubled their lead on the half-hour when Darragh Power sent Phoenix Patterson away down the left. As he bore down on goal, he spotted the goalkeeper move off his line and placed an excellent effort into the corner.
The lead was three six minutes before the break when Aouachria gathered the ball inside the area and spotted Junior Quitirna in space. His inch-perfect pass allowed the midfielder plenty of time to pick his spot and he slotted home.
However, two goals in two minutes just after the restart brought the visitors right back into the game. Adam Lennon, who had been getting some space on the right found himself at the top of the area and he fired past Paul Martin on 50 minutes. The Blues then conceded a sloppy free kick on the left which Jarlath Jones dispatched to the top corner.
Waterford had to dig deep to fend off this Athlone revival and they made the game safe seven minutes from time when Aouachria received a lovely ball from Uche and he turned and fired past Enda Minogue for his second and Waterford’s fourth.
The Blues now face Treaty United in the playoff semi-final with the first leg on Wednesday evening (7.45 pm) and the return on Saturday evening at the RSC with a 7.45 pm kickoff.
