Waterford FC dropped two valuable points in the SSE Airtricity League Under 17 Southern Elite Division on Sunday afternoon as UCD came from two goals down to nick a point. Played in glorious conditions at the UCD Bowl, The Blues will be left scratching their heads how they came away with a draw against ten men giving the number of chances created over the course of the 90 minutes.
After finding themselves two goals to the good and well on top, the young Blues side conceded a goal three minutes before the sound of the half time whistle which on reflection proved to be a pivotal moment in the game as the hosts went onto a snatch an equalising goal.
With UCD winger Hugh O’Mahony going close with a fine effort on 16 minutes, it was the Blues that struck the front on the counter attack when they won a corner kick out on the left that saw Colm Whelan turn provider for striker Oisin Knox who planted his header past Sean Prenter from deep inside the penalty area.
John Furlong’s side missed two great chances to double their advantage on 27 minutes when another Whelan corner picked out Dean Beresford but his effort was blocked before another Whelan again created another chance for Lee Costello who headed wide at the back post.
Waterford did extend their lead in a dominant display on 36 minutes when Mike Nzongong’s brilliant through ball sent Ciaran Brennan clear behind the UCD back line to drill a left footed shot into the back of the net.
The game however swung just before the break when totally against the run of play five minutes later, Luke Hannigan took a pass from Darragh Nugent on the right-side of the penalty area and after some hesitation in the Blues defence, the UCD striker fired past Charlie Heffernan.
HALF TIME 1-2
With the home side having a couple of chances to get back level, they were dealt a blow on 68 minutes when referee Stephen Parnell sent off winger Promise Omochere for an elbow on Waterford striker Oisin Knox that was spotted by his Assistant.
It was Ciaran Brennan that had a great chance to add a third goal for the Blues on 81 minutes when he took a pass from Jack Larkin but UCD keeper Prenter saved superbly before the Students scored an unlikely levelling goal three minutes later. Danny Bruce rose highest to head home a right-wing corner kick from Hugh Torfeldt. Torik Adegoke missed a great chance with two minutes remaining to win for the Blues when he got on the end of a Larkin corner kick but the central defender blazed over the crossbar.
A disappointing result in the end for Waterford and manager John Furlong.
WATERFORD FC U17: Charlie Heffernan, Kallum Broaders, Darragh Power (Torik Adegoke `64), Greg Waters, Lee Costello, Jack Larkin, Dean Beresford, Mike Nzongong (Jack O’Donnell `78), Colm Whelan, Ciaran Brennan, Oisin Knox (Elvis Azah `78)
Unused Subs: Brendan Kirwan, Andrew Farrell, Adam Conway, Sean Tracey.
UCD U17: Sean Prenter, Sean Madden, Adam Byrne (Charlie Smith 43’), Danny Bruce, Dan Mullen, Harry McEvoy (David Samson 72’), Hugh O’Mahony (Hugh Torfeldt 46’), Daragh Nugent, Dylan Reilly, Luke Hannigan, Promise Omochere (s/o 68′).
Unused Subs: Matthew Treanor, Ethan Levins, Lewis Kilkenny, Kealen Sherratt.
REFEREE: Stephen Parnell
