Dogged Waterford hold on to beat Pat’s at RSC

A majestic second-half defensive performance from Waterford FC saw Keith Long’s side continue the push up the table as Ben McCormack’s deflected header settled their SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division meeting with St Patrick’s Athletic at a hopping RSC.

After playing second best for much of the first-half, the home side had their backs to the walls in the final 10 minutes as they clung onto the lead, their defence holding firm in the latter stages.

It was the visitors that made the early running in the game with Ruairí Keating setting up Brandon Kavanagh for the first chance on two minutes, only for Sam Sargeant to save his low shot from the top of the area before Mason Melia headed a Jake Mulraney left-wing cross over the bar on 17 minutes.

The top of the woodwork denied Stephen Kenny’s side the lead goal as they continued to press for the opener six minutes later when midfielder Chris Forrester cracked in a shot from 25-yards that had keeper Sargeant beaten, but the ball struck the crossbar before going over.

St. Pat’s went close to the breakthrough goal once again on 29 minutes, when Forrester picked up possession of the ball on the top of the penalty area, but with Sargeant rooted to his spot, the ball flashed inches wide of the left-hand upright.

Joseph Anang was called into action to make a smart save to deny the home side on 40 minutes when he kept out a half-volley from Padraig Amond.

Darragh Leahy had to be alert at the other end two minutes later, clearing an effort from Jake Mulraney off the line.

The second-half was seven minutes old when Waterford broke the deadlock.

Leahy found space for himself out on the left before putting a super cross to the near post.

McCormack’s header hit the post, the ball rebounding off the unfortunate keeper Anang and dribbling over the line.

McCormack was in the thick of the action once again on 62 minutes when he latched onto to an Amond pass down the left, but Anang kept out his stinging effort at his near post.

Despite pressing for an equalising goal, the Saints were kept at bay by a Waterford side that deserved their win.

Waterford FC: Sargeant; Power, Horton, Radkowski, Leahy; McDonald, McCormack (McCourt 69), McMenamy; Pattisson (Arubi 90), Amond, Parsons (Evans 90).

St. Patricks’ Athletic: Anang; Breslin (Kazeem 79), Redmond, Grivosti, Sjoberg; Lennon (Palmer 79), B Kavanagh (C Kavanagh 79), Mulraney (Leavy 51), Melia; Keating (Nolan 65), Forrester.

Referee: Rob Hennessy (Dublin).

Attendance: 2786