Wexford FC 0 Waterford FC 1
Waterford FC extended their unbeaten run to six games following a hard fought one nil victory over South East rivals Wexford at Ferrycarrig Park.
Keith Long made five changes to the side that beat Kerry on Friday night with Eddie Nolan coming into the side along with Niall O Keeffe, Sam Perry, Serge Atakayi and Romeo Ackachukwu.
And in a very tame opening 45 minutes there was nothing between the sides with Conor Parsons coming close on the quarter hour after good work from Ryan Burke and Nolan but his 2o yard effort missed the target.
At the other end it was Eoin Kenny, watched by his father, the Ireland manager Stephen, who tested the Blues defense but his volley flashed harmlessly wide.
Waterford had a number of free kicks in the early stages of the second half that flew over the bar, as both sides struggled with the strong breeze.
But as the half wore on it was Waterford who started to gain a foothold in the game.
The breakthrough came on 68 minutes when Parsons won a corner after good work down the left from Burke. The Blues winger then floated a great ball to the near post where Nolan rose to meet it and head home amid a gang of players.
Burke managed a great block on substitute Aaron Doran six minutes from time and from the resulting clearance, Ronan Coughlan forced a good save from Owen Mason. The on loan goalkeeper showed all of his class a minute later, diving full length to his left to deny Barry Baggley.
Waterford then shut up shop to close out the game but not before Wexford had a great chance to equalize through Corban Piper who blazed over the bar from 12 yards.
WEXFORD FC: Owen Mason, Luke Browne, Reece Webb (Aaron Doran ’76), Ben Lynch, Cian O’Malley, Ethan Boyle, Kian Corbally (Aaron Dobbs ’63), Eoin Kenny (Danny Furlong ’76), Luka Lovic (Darragh Levingston ’76), Corban Piper, Brandon McCann.
WATERFORD FC: Sam Sargeant, Niall O’Keeffe, Eddie Nolan, Giles Phillips, Ryan Burke, Barry Baggley, Sam Perry, Serge Atakayi (Christie Pattisson ’63), Romeo Akachukwu (Roland Idowu ’63), Connor Parsons (Drew Baker ’86), Ronan Coughlan.
Referee: Robert Dowling (Dublin).
