Waterford fight back twice to earn point against Derry
Pádraig Amond scored Waterford's second equaliser against Derry. Pic: Eakin Howard/Sportsfile
Waterford FC twice came from behind to earn a share of the spoils against Derry City in a thrilling SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division encounter at a rain-soaked RSC on Monday night.
The Blues finished the game strongly and laid siege to the visitors’ goal in the closing stages, but despite a series of late chances they were unable to find the winning goal in a pulsating 2-2 draw.
With Drogheda United recording a surprise victory over Shelbourne on the same night, Waterford’s cushion above the relegation play-off position has narrowed significantly. The sides are now separated only by goal difference, leaving Graham Coughlan’s men with little margin for error in the run-in.
Derry made the brighter start and almost struck after six minutes when James Clarke crashed a superb left-footed effort against the Waterford crossbar.
The visitors did not have to wait long to take the lead. Three minutes later Clarke won possession in midfield before finding former Waterford player Adam O’Reilly, who unleashed a spectacular 40-yard strike that flew past Stephen McMullan and into the net.
The weather conditions made flowing football difficult, but Waterford gradually worked their way into the contest. Benny Couto’s dangerous set-piece delivery caused problems throughout the opening period and one of his free-kicks on 36 minutes eventually broke to Conan Noonan, whose effort was deflected behind.
The home side went even closer three minutes later. Noah Mawene released Couto down the left and his cross picked out Tommy Lonergan. The striker saw his first effort saved by Thomas Norcott before directing the rebound straight at the Derry goalkeeper.
Waterford’s persistence paid off in the final minute of the first half. Couto delivered another inviting free-kick that was recycled across goal by Hayden Cann. Jorgen Voilas saw his shot blocked by Jamie Stott, but Evan McLaughlin reacted quickest to smash the loose ball into the roof of the net and send the sides in level at the break.
The Blues nearly completed the turnaround immediately after the restart. A misjudgement from Patrick McClean allowed Lonergan to race clear, but Norcott stood tall to deny the striker.
That miss proved costly as Derry restored their advantage on 51 minutes. Clarke was again involved, slipping a pass into Michael Duffy, who turned away from Mawene before curling an excellent finish beyond McMullan and into the far top corner.
Waterford responded superbly once more and levelled six minutes later. Couto’s corner from the right found Padraig Amond peeling away from his marker at the back post and the captain powered a header into the roof of the net.
The hosts looked the more likely winners thereafter. Amond fired narrowly over after good work on the edge of the area before setting up Dean McMenamy, whose effort also cleared the crossbar.
The best chance of the closing stages arrived in the 90th minute. Couto’s corner found Lonergan at the back post and his goalbound header appeared certain to win the game until Duffy produced a remarkable clearance off the line.
Waterford continued to press in stoppage time as Kevin Long headed wide before Sam Glenfield forced a fine save from Norcott, but Derry survived the onslaught to leave the south-east with a point.
McMullan; Cann, Mahon, Long; Voilas, Mawene (Heeney 64), McLaughlin (Glenfield 64), Noonan (McMenamy 64), Couto; Lonergan, Amond.
Norcott; Dummigan, Stott, McClean; Burns (Dos Santos 76), Twisk, O’Reilly, Fleming; Boyce, Duffy, Clarke (Chapman 74).
Kevin O’Sullivan (Cork).
1,666.
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