Padraig Amond misses penalty as Sligo Rovers hold Waterford

Waterford's Padraig Amond with Sean Stewart of Sligo Rovers. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom O’Hanlon

SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division: WATERFORD FC 0 SLIGO ROVERS 0

Padraig Amond missed the opportunity to hand Waterford their first win of the Premier Division season as the Blues captain struck a penalty off the crossbar as his side had to settle for a scoreless stalemate in their battle with Sligo Rovers at the RSC.

After referee Daniel Murphy harshly judged that Sligo defender Gareth McEnroy had fouled Jorgen Voilas in an off-the-ball incident that seemed to be spotted by assistant referee Robert Clarke, Amond rattled his 12-yarder off the woodwork in the 48th minute.

Archie Meekison had a big chance to put Rovers in front inside four minutes when he got free at the back post to get on the end of Will Fitzgerald's left-wing cross, but his shot was just wide of Stephen McMullan’s goal.

Tommy Lonergan had a golden chance to give the home side the lead on 32 minutes when he got his head on a brilliant inswinging Conon Noonan corner, but the centre forward failed to hit the target from close-range.

It was a carbon copy chance for Lonergan seven minutes later, as the same routine set piece from Noonan found the head of the centre forward underneath the crossbar, but he directed his header over the bar.

The second half was less than two minutes old when the home side were awarded a penalty. Jorgen Violas clashed off the ball with first-half substitute Gareth McElroy, which saw referee Daniel Murphy point to the spot, but Amond rattled the crossbar with his spot-kick.

Sam Sargeant was called into action to make a brilliant save to deny Waterford the lead on 50 minutes when Trae Coyle sent over a left-wing cross that was cleared into the path of Conan Noonan, but his thunderous right-footed volley was superbly tipped over.

Jordan Faria carved out a good chance for Amond five minutes from time when he played a left-wing cross into the striker, but his effort was blocked away before Will Fitzgerald went down in the area with the final action only for his appeals to be waved away.

WATERFORD: McMullan; Heeney, Mahon, Cann, Couto; Glenfield, Coyle (McLaughlin 72), Noonan; Violas (Faria 80), Amond, Lonergan (Carthy 72).

SLIGO ROVERS: Sargeant; Esua (McDonagh 81), Denham, Blaney (McElroy 45), Stewart, Fitzgerald, Quirk, Meekison (Hakiki 57), O’Kane, Harkin (Patton 57) (McHugh 81), Traore.

Referee: Daniel Murphy (Dublin).