Shelbourne 1-0 Waterford United

Shels extend lead at the top with an emphatic win

The Reds extended their lead at the head of the Premier Division table to five points as a result of their 1-0 victory over Waterford United at the end of an eventful and entertaining tie at Tolka Park. It was a game that was totally dominated by the leaders and there were long spells in both halves in which the entire Waterford team were defending deep inside their own half of the field.

The Blues came to Tolka geared for defence, for they lined out with five across the back and the gamble certainly paid off in the first half. For Shels, despite all their possession, failed to make the vital breakthrough. After 10 minutes, the unmarked Richie Baker headed over the bar as he connected with a close in Fenlon free and four minutes later, Michael Devine brought off a fine save as he pulled down a cleverly flighted Steven Geoghegan chip shot just under the angle of the cross bar.

Then in rapid succession, Doolan, Fenlon, Geoghegan and the two Bakers were all denied scores only through the brilliance of Devine in the visitors’ goal. Seven minutes into the second half came the biggest incident of the game, at a time when Shels were camped in the Waterford penalty area. As the ball was pushed out of the fence by goalkeeper, Devine, it reached Doolo on the edge of the penalty area and his first time shot was sailing into the roof of the Blues net with Devine beaten on this occasion.

However, Alan Kirby, standing on the goal line, pushed the ball with his hand over the cross bar and the Waterford player was immediately sent off. When the resultant penalty was eventually taken, Steven Geoghegan’s spot kick rebounded off the upright and across the goal and away to safety.

Shelbourne got the long overdue and well deserved match winning goal after 71 minutes when Pat Fenlon’s corner from the right was headed on by Dessie Baker and as Pat Scully just beat full back Dave Smith to the dropping ball, in the crowded penalty area, the Shelbourne captain joyfully hammered it to the back of the Waterford net.

Team: Williams, Heary, D. Geoghegan, McCarthy, Scully, D. Baker, Doolan, S. Geoghegan, R. Baker, Fenlon, Keddy, sub. Van der Velden for Doolan 61 mins.

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