Roches Reap the Rewards

Captain Jodie Roche was the matchwinner for the Waterford FC Under-17s (pictured above) on Saturday as they overcame CK United on a scoreline of one goal to nil at Killeshin. With steam rising from the AstroTurf in intense heat, the Blues couldn’t find a breakthrough in the first half despite Zoe O’Sullivan forcing former Waterford goalkeeper Sofia Blackmore into three or four good saves.

However, the all-important goal came just three minutes into the second half. Imogen Power, who dominated midfield throughout along with Amy Walsh, played a magnificent throughball to Zoe O’Sullivan. The tall striker forced another save, but Roche was quickest to react and buried the rebound in the net.

Kate Dalton and Roche both had chances to add to the lead and O’Sullivan was very unlucky to hit the inside of the post with another shot. Carlow-Kilkenny pushed for an equaliser, but the Blues defence stifled any chances with centre backs Sophie McCabe and Laura Beresford, in particular, outstanding throughout. Strong contributions from substitutes too helped John MacLean’s team to a hard-fought, but well-deserved win.

 

Rian Roche was a matchwinner for the U14s

Another Roche (no relation) scored the decisive goal for Derek Browne’s Under-14s on Sunday as they beat Kerry 2-1. Danny Rakel opened the scoring before Rian Roche got the crucial second. After a very successful development weekend in Dublin last week with three wins from three, the youngest Blues were raring to go and got off to a flying start when Rakel made a strong run inside the first two minutes and finished neatly with his left foot. Midway through the second period, Waterford made it two when Rakel went on another strong run down the left flank and crossed for Rian Roche to head powerfully to the net. Despite having numerous chances, the Blues couldn’t find a third goal in a strong performance and Kerry pulled one back through Noah Russell early in the third period, but that was the end of the scoring.

Down a goal at half time, the Under-20s staged a great comeback to beat CK United 3-1 away from home on Saturday. Eddie Nolan’s side were missing several key players meaning four Under-17s started the match and, while Waterford were finding their feet, CK United found the net. Timmy Adeleye’s goal gave the hosts a half-time lead and it took until the 58th minute for Waterford to conjure up an equaliser through captain Noah O’Brien. Ten minutes later, Filip Wasilewski, who scored a late winner last week, gave the Blues the lead and it was 3-1 by the 77th minute when striker Jan Wozniak finished. Waterford now top the table in Tier Two (South) with an impressive three wins from three.

With Tommy Lonergan topping the league’s goalscoring chart for the first team, another Lonergan – Evan (again, no relation) – kept up his prolific form with two more goals for the Under-17s boys, but Galway United came out on top in a five-goal thriller at SETU Arena. In a game littered with yellow cards (and one late red), Lonergan gave Waterford a 35th-minute lead from a Harry Farrell pass. Galway levelled on the stroke of half-time with a goal from Cillian Smyth, but Lonergan notched his second after 56 minutes from another Farrell assist. Unfortunately, the lead was flipped with two goals in two minutes from Jonathan Echefu, leaving the Blues with eighteen minutes to find another goal, but it wasn’t to be and the game finished 3-2 to Galway.

Finally, the Under-15s enjoyed the learning experience of a Development Weekend at FAI Headquarters in Abbotstown. They started with a 1-1 draw with Dundalk (Evan Scully scoring), followed by a 2-0 loss to St Patrick’s Athletic and another 1-1 draw against Galway United with Will Hogan scoring the equaliser. All in all, a very valuable training trip for these young players.