Waterford FC 3 Drogheda United 1

Waterford came from behind to seal an emphatic victory as they eased their playoff fears with a stunning win over Drogheda United at the RSC.

Graham Coughlan’s preparations were disrupted minutes before the start when Jordan Houston pulled up in the warm up so Jorgen Voilas came into a revised starting eleven but it didn’t seem to matter to the Blues who dominated the early exchanges. Tommy Lonergan went close after just five minutes when a lovely ball from Conan Noonan behind the defence let him away but he dragged his shot across the goalmouth. A minute later, the striker had another opportunity with a free header but there was not enough power to trouble the goalkeeper.

John Mahon was next up for the Blues from a Benny Couto corner but again he couldn’t get enough power behind the header.

Drogheda then took a shock lead when their first real attack produced a goal. Conor Kane got away on the left flank and his cross was headed home by Leo Burney.

Waterford stuck to their game plan and nearly had an equaliser four minutes before the break when Lonergan headed the ball down for Kevin Long and the Blues’ defender’s volley came crashing back off the crossbar before being scrambled away for a corner. It was this set piece that brought the equaliser as Couto’s drilled ball bounced across the six yard box where Hayden Cann was waiting and he touched the ball to the net.

The Blues continued to press in the second half but had to wait until the 67th minute to get the break through when Evan McLaughlin sent Lonergan away down the right. He looked up to see Noonan racing towards the area and a perfect pass was drilled to the bottom corner for the lead.

And it was Captain Fantastic, Padraig Amond who ensured the points six minutes from time when he took a pass from McLaughlin before curling the ball around Finn Talley into the opposite corner.

The Blues now sit three points ahead of Drogheda heading into the final round of fixtures next week but crucially the goal difference is now 7 in favour of Waterford so barring a miracle, it looks like Waterford will retain their Premier Division status for next season.

Waterford FC: McMullan, Houston, Cann, Mahon, Long, Couto, Noonan, McLaughlin, Mawene, Amond, Lonergan

Drogheda United: Talley, Agbaje, Burney, Keeley, Quinn, Kane, Farrell, E O’Brien, Kavanagh, Oluwa, Davis (Doyle 42′)

Referee: Rob Hennessy