Waterford slipped to fourth in the table and outside the European places after succumbing to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of St. Patrick's Athletic at Richmond Park. A goalless first half saw a handful of chances at either end with Pats' Jake Keegan at
Waterford slipped to fourth in the table and outside the European places after succumbing to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of St. Patrick's Athletic at Richmond Park.
A goalless first half saw a handful of chances at either end with Pats' Jake Keegan attempting a speculative lob from distance which ended up behind Matthew Connor's goal in the eighth minute.
The best chance of the first half also landed at the feet of Keegan. After being played in by Achille Campion in the 31st minute, the striker blazed over with the goal at his mercy.
Most of Waterford's first half efforts came from Sander Puri who drew comfortable saves from Pats goalkeeper Brendan Clarke on three occasions.
Pats started the second half brightly with both Keegan and Ian Bermingham going close. The deadlock was finally broken in the 54th minute when Campion smashed home from close range after Darragh Markey's attempt was parried by Connor. The goal was Campion's first for the club after signing earlier this month.
As Pats continued to dominate, Ryan Brennan shot over before Michael Leahy doubled the lead with a glancing header from an Ian Bermingham corner.
Leahy put the result beyond doubt in the 83rd minute by scoring another header, this time from a Bermingham free kick. It's now three league games unbeaten for Pats, who climb to fifth in the table before their next league outing away to Sligo Rovers.
Waterford have just one win in their last six league games and host Bray Wanderers after a trip to UCD in the FAI Cup.
