Benny Couto class sees Waterford edge Athlone
Benny Couto of Waterford scores his side's second goal. Pic: Paul Phelan/Sportsfile
Waterford kept alive their hopes of winning a first Club Orange FAI Men’s Cup since 1980 after overcoming a stubborn Athlone Town side 2-1 in front of 1,511 spectators at the RSC on Friday night.
Goals from skipper Padraig Amond and full-back Benny Couto proved enough to send Graham Coughlan’s side into the quarter-finals, although the Premier Division outfit were pushed all the way by their First Division opponents in an entertaining cup tie.
The teams were tight in the opening period as both sides looked to settle into the contest. Waterford enjoyed the majority of possession but found it difficult to break down a well-organised Athlone defence.
The hosts created the first real opening after 15 minutes when Kevin Long hooked a clearance out of defence that released Jorgen Voilas down the right. The attacker looked set to get a shot away before James Crawford recovered brilliantly to make a vital block.
From the resulting corner, Waterford made the breakthrough.
Benny Couto continued his recent excellent form from set-pieces by delivering a superb cross into the danger area. Padraig Amond rose highest eight yards from goal and planted a firm header beyond Brendan Clarke to put the Blues in front.
Athlone refused to be overawed and almost responded immediately. Jonathan Kehir tested Arlo Doherty from distance before the visitors found an equaliser on 25 minutes in controversial circumstances.
Mark Connolly's corner from the left caused confusion inside the Waterford penalty area. John Mahon appeared to be impeded while attempting to clear the danger, but referee Alan Patchell allowed play to continue.
When the loose ball broke kindly for Cillian Tollett, the striker showed great composure to fire a close-range finish into the roof of the net and level matters at 1-1.
The visitors grew in confidence after the equaliser and looked dangerous on the counter-attack, while Waterford struggled to create clear-cut opportunities before the interval as the sides went in level at the break.
Waterford restored their advantage five minutes after the restart and did so in impressive fashion. Following a throw-in on the right wing from Jordan Houston, Couto received possession and drove inside from the flank.
The defender unleashed a curling left-footed effort that beat Clarke and nestled inside the far corner to make it 2-1.
The goal lifted the home side and Couto continued to influence proceedings at both ends of the pitch.
On 65 minutes he delivered another excellent cross which picked out Amond's near-post run, but the striker's flicked header drifted just wide of the far upright.
Three minutes later, two Waterford substitutes combined to create another opportunity. Tommy Lonergan showed clever awareness to tee up Dean McMenamy on the edge of the penalty area, but his first-time strike took a deflection and flew narrowly over the crossbar.
Athlone remained a threat, particularly through Aaron Connolly, who dictated much of their play from midfield. His powerful effort from outside the area on 71 minutes forced Doherty into a smart save low to his left.
Waterford should have extended their lead seven minutes later. Conan Noonan did brilliantly to keep the ball in play before producing an inviting cross for Hayden Cann.
The central defender's powerful header appeared destined for the net until Clarke produced an outstanding reaction save. McMenamy followed up but volleyed over from close range.
The home side were left frustrated again when Clarke appeared to handle the ball outside his penalty area as Amond threatened to race through on goal, but play continued.
Athlone almost forced extra time in stoppage time when Sean Brennan unleashed a fierce drive from distance, but Doherty produced a magnificent fingertip save to turn the effort over the crossbar and preserve Waterford's lead.
Doherty; Houston (McMenamy 62), Cann, Mahon, Long, Couto; Mawene (Heeney 62), McLaughlin (Lonergan 62), Noonan; Amond, Voilas.
Clarke; D. Connolly, Kehir, O'Connor, Crawford (Considine 73); Brennan, A. Connolly, McManus, Lomboto; Tollett (Ferry 73), Grogan (Cleary 25).
Alan Patchell (Dublin).
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