Waterford hit Derry for four to move off Premier Division bottom
Tommy Lonergan, the subject of a bid from Derry during the week, opened the scoring for Waterford at the Brandywell. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
WATERFORD moved off the bottom of the Premier Division table for the first time in five months after an impressive win against Derry City at Brandywell.
Angry Derry City fans called for Tiernan Lynch to 'go home' after this crushing defeat despite a spirited late comeback falling short.
It was an eighth loss of the season for the Candystripes who remain in sixth position ahead of their Europa League first round qualifier against CSKA Sofia in the Bulgarian capital next Thursday night.
Derry City target Tommy Lonergan put Waterford ahead from the penalty spot after the ball hit Conor Barr's hand inside the box.
Lonergan's strike was turned into the Derry net by Rob Slevin on 70 minutes and Padraig Amond tucked away a third seven minutes later as Derry fans made their feelings known.
Derry rallied and goals from Slevin and Adam O'Reilly within three minutes gave the home side a lifeline.
However, sub, Jorgen Voilas raced through on goal after rounding Brian Maher in stoppage time to clinch three valuable points for Graham Coughlan's resurgent troops.
Derry City had a €180,000 bid rejected for Waterford striker Lonergan this week and the league's top scorer started up top for the visitors.
Waterford made a confident start, penning the home side into their own half with a succession of long throw-ins from Will Johnson.
When Conan Noonan crossed towards Johnson, his flick-on inside the penalty area was charged down by Barr and referee Declan Toland immediately pointed to the spot signalling handball.
Up stepped Lonergan who fired past Maher into the roof of the net at the North Stand end- his third penalty scored against Derry this season!
The home attendance had little to cheer about until the 23rd minute when Liam Boyce played in O'Reilly and his 25 yard strike rattled the top of the crossbar.
Four minutes later Bernardo Couto's inswinging corner was met by John Mahon's head, but Fleming headed it off the line. Amond reacted quickest to head the rebound goalwards and once again Fleming headed it off the line and wide for another corner.
Derry should've been level on the half hour mark when Boyce cleverly linked up with O'Reilly on the edge of the box but the Corkman's strike was saved superbly by Stephen McMullan, and the follow-up attempt was blocked by Mahon.
Waterford soaked up some late pressure to take a slender lead into the break.
Patrick McClean brought down Johnson 20 yards from the Derry goal on 68 minutes and Noonan's free-kick rattled the crossbar.
Waterford doubled their lead on 70 minutes when Lonergan's strike was diverted past Maher and into the corner of the net.
Disgruntled Derry fans in the Norh Stand unfurled a 'Lynch out now' banner and chanted 'it's time to go home' as they made their feelings clear on the under pressure Brandywell boss.
It got worse for the home side on 78 minutes when former Derry defender Cann crossed towards the near post and Amond tucked the ball home.
Michael Duffy rattled the underside of the crossbar on 80 minutes. Two minutes later Slevin made amends for his own goal by heading in Duffy's corner kick.
With five minutes to go Cameron Dummigan forced a stunning save from McMullan but the ball broke to O'Reilly who bundled home at the back post to set up a grandstand finish.
Fleming fired across goal and wide of the far post in stoppage time as Derry pressed hard for the equaliser.
However, substitute Voilas sealed the win in the 93rd minute when he latched onto a long ball, took a touch around Maher who came 30 yards off his line and the Waterford man was left with an easy tap-in.
Maher 5; Cotter 6, Barr 5, P. McClean 6, Fleming 6; Dummigan 7, Olayinka 6, O’Reilly 7; Duffy 7, Boyce 7 (Doherty 6, 78) J. McClean 6 (Slevin 7, 56).
McMullan 7; Cann 8, Mahon 8, Long 7; Couto 8, Johnston 7 (McMenamy 6, 74),Glenfield 6 (Heeney 6, 78), Noonan 7 (Coyle 6, 86), Houston 6 (Voilas 8, 78); Amond 8, Lonergan 7.
Declan Toland (Athlone)
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