Waterford dealt a huge blow to Derry City's European hopes for next season as they tighten their own grip on third - running away 2-1 winners at The Brandywell - and opening an eight-point advantage. The Derry defence was in dismay in the opening 1
Waterford dealt a huge blow to Derry City's European hopes for next season as they tighten their own grip on third - running away 2-1 winners at The Brandywell - and opening an eight-point advantage.
The Derry defence was in dismay in the opening 10 minutes – their lack of organisation clear for everyone to see, especially for this explosive Waterford side.
A nervy-looking Danny Seaborne, in particular, was causing panic in the Derry defence and after eight minutes the Blues opened the score-line. A pristine piece of play between the assister, Noel Hunt, and the eventful goal scorer from close-range, Dessie Hutchinson, cut through Derry‘s fragile defensive fort – causing carnage amongst the City ranks.
Izzy Akinade then had a chance to double Waterford’s lead from Dave Comerford’s corner, but he failed to hit the target with his free header. Alan Reynold’s side paid the price for not taking advantage of their dominance as Derry City levelled the scoreboard after a half an hour.
Hutchinson failed to clear a Rory Hale delivery, resulting in Dean Shiels scoring from five yards. The Foylesiders looked the most likely before half-time but it was Waterford that went in during the interval with the lead.
Holohan put the Blues in front on the stroke of half-time as his deflected shot, after a Bastien Héry pass, wrong-footed Gerard Doherty. In a laboured second–half, City started in a low-key fashion and Waterford almost took advantage on the right side of the penalty area, Akinade seeing his shot saved by Doherty from around 12-yards.
After an hour, Ally Roy had a golden chance when Darren Cole opened up the Waterford defence but he sent his shot just wide of the post – he should have scored from the advanced position. In the final phase, Waterford held out as the Candy Stripes hit the crossbar after 89 minutes through Roy, but nothing camp up trumps for Derry.
