Matt Keane, reporting from the RSC
The Blues took the lead on six minutes when James Mascoll sent in a right-wing ball that picked out the unmarked striker Cian Kavanagh, and he powered a header past Ed McGinley from six yards. Kavanagh was making his debut for the Blues.
Waterford should have doubled their advantage on 18 minutes only to be denied by a brilliant double save from McGinty. Shane Griffin cracked in a shot from the edge of the area that was kept out by a strong hand from the keeper with Kavanagh failing to convert the loose rebound from close-range.
After having a strong penalty appeal turned down when Figuera went to ground under a challenge from Cameron Evans, the visitors restored parity on 35 minutes when Jordan Gibson skipped past Mascoll with ease before crossing into the area when Romeo Parkes volleyed an unstoppable shot past Murphy from 12 yards.
It was Murphy that denied Sligo the lead three minutes later when a long pass from Garry Buckley into the clear, but with only the netminder to beat, his shot was well kept out at the expense of a corner kick that was easily cleared.
While there was an air of disappointment about the first goal that the Blues conceded, you could only applaud the one that gave Sligo the lead on 53 minutes when Jordan Gibson brought the ball onto his unfavoured left-foot on the right-side of the area before arrowing a stunner that beat Murphy with the aid of the far post.
Sligo Rovers don't do tap-ins. Having already set-up a cracker for their first goal, Jordan Gibson goes one better for their second. It's Waterford 1-2 Sligo Rovers. #rtesoccer pic.twitter.com/DeJu0XJPje
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) March 26, 2021
The goal scorers combined for another Sligo chance on 69 minutes when Romeo Parkes slipped the ball out to the right channel for Gibson, who saw his first time right-footed shot from just inside the area go narrowly wide of the far post.
A magnificent block from Garry Buckley denied the home side the equalising goal on 74 minutes when James Waite sent in a cross from the left that was spilled by Ed McGinty into the path of Cian Kavanagh, but the defender throw his body on the line to deny the center forward.
Waterford FC: Brian Murphy, Darragh Power, Cameron Evans, Kyle Ferguson, Jamie Mascoll, Adam O’Reilly, Shane Griffin (Eric Molloy ’67), Oscar Brennan, Prince Mutswunguma (Daryl Murphy ’63), James Waite, Cian Kavanagh (John Martin ’80)
Sligo Rovers: Ed McGinty, Robbie McCourt, John Mahon, Colm Horgan, Garry Buckley, Niall Morahan, Jordan Gibson, Greg Bolger, Romeo Parkes, Johnny Kenny (Ryan De Vries ’72), Walter Figueira (David Cawley ’68)
Referee: Paul McLaughlin (Cavan/Monaghan)
Listen back here to Matt's full-time report:
Elsewhere, Finn Harps sit top of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division table.
An Adam Foley brace saw Ollie Horgan’s side win 2-1 away to Dundalk yesterday evening.
Bohemians go in search of their first points of the season this afternoon, with Longford visiting Dalymount Park.
While St. Pat’s entertain Drogheda - both of those games kick-off at 4 pm.
There's an early goal at the RSC as Cian Kavanagh gives Waterford the lead after just five minutes. Waterford 1-0 Sligo Rovers. Watch live on RTÉ2 on https://t.co/VyLFd6HQiN #rtesoccer pic.twitter.com/kYNxioaao5
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) March 26, 2021
Waterford return to action next Saturday evening when they make the lengthy journey to face Derry City, a game that will kick-off at 6pm at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
