Southeast Spoils Go To Waterford

The Waterford FC Under-20s continued their sensational summer form with a 6-2 home win against neighbours Wexford on Saturday. Several first team players were included at the behest of manager Graham Coughlan and they had a steadying influence on the younger Blues. Trae Coyle, for one, had a strong showing and created the first goal inside the opening minute for Bobby Keohan to score. Wexford equalised through ex-Blue Adam Dobbyn, but Waterford added four more goals by half time for a commanding lead.

The Blues’ attackers were in terrific form with several on the scoresheet including Mason Murphy who gave them the lead again after 22 minutes. Romeo Lapite and Peter Byrne were thriving in midfield and the former made it 3-1 from a pass by the latter. Fidel Pululu continued his tremendous recent form with the fourth in the 40th minute and there was still time for Coyle to make it five by the break with a great free kick. Ryan McDonald pulled one back for Wexford straight after the interval, but substitute Orion Cala restored the four-goal margin with fifteen minutes to play from a pass by Filip Wasilewski. Waterford stay four points clear at the top of the table with an impressive sixteen points from six games so far.

 

Igor Bacela claims the ball for the U20s watched by Blair McKenzie and Joe Ashton

Meanwhile, the Under-17 girls made it a superb five wins in a row with a 3-0 victory - also over Wexford. The Blues raced into the lead with goals in the 13th and 14th minutes from Kate Dalton and Jodie Roche, respectively, at SETU Arena. Captain Roche then set up the third goal for defender Laura Beresford on the stroke of half time and Waterford were able to maintain that lead to the finish. The Blues now move to second in the Tier Two (South) table and just a point off leaders Galway United. They have scored fifteen and conceded just three times in this five-match winning streak.

On Sunday, the Under-17 boys side overturned an early two-goal deficit to take the lead away to Treaty United, but ultimately had to settle for their third 3-3 draw in six games. Goals from Conor Brady and Michael Omojoefodun after 12 and 20 minutes gave the Limerick club the advantage at the Market’s Field, but, amazingly, Waterford were ahead by half time. First, the industrious Billy Carney won the ball in midfield and played a ball through to Nathan Power to finish low to the net in the 33rd minute. The Blues were level five minutes later when Harry Farrell played a pass to Joel Obesie out wide on the right and the full back’s speculative effort flew into the top corner. 

Power then doubled his tally and gave the visitors the lead a minute before the break when he picked up a pass from Tiernan O’Brien, cut inside and drove the ball into the top left corner of the goal. Treaty equalised through Mark Regan almost immediately at the start of the second half and neither team could find a winner in a real battle of a second half. Derek Hearne’s Blues stay third in the Tier Two (South) table having been beaten just once in six games. 

 

Laura Beresford takes command (Photo - Wexford FC)

First-half goals from Sarah Abullo and Kate Tomkins gave the Under-23s a 2-1 home win against Kerry at Carriganore on Sunday. That’s five games unbeaten for the girls in the inaugural Women’s Development League now while they are also providing a production line of talent for the Waterford Women’s team.

Finally, congratulations to the Waterford FC academy pair of goalkeeper Ronan Sullivan and full back Jack Barden on their call-up to the Republic of Ireland Under-16 team this week. The Boys in Green will spend this week in North Wales under the guidance of coaches Keith O’Halloran, Richie Smith and Graham Gartland and play two friendly matches against Wales on Tuesday and Thursday at the ground of Ruthin Town.