Waterford FC secured at least a Top 4 finish in the Premier Division after a 3-1 win away to Bohemians on Friday night in Dalymount Park.
Cristian Magerusan had given Bohs the lead but goals from Sander Puri, Stanley Aborah and Noel Hunt secured a deserved three points against a spirited Bohs side.
Alan Reynolds made one change to the side from the Sligo Rovers win; Bastien Hery coming back into the side in place of Noe Baba.
After a quiet opening to the game, Bohemians struck an early lead. Eoghan Stokes started the move with a good ball out to the left for Jamie Hamilton and his cross was expertly steered beyond Niall Corbet by Cristian Magerusan from 10 yards.
But the lead lasted less than three minutes as the Blues struck back to level. Dylan Barnett did well down the left to fire the ball right-footed towards the back post and Sander Puri looked to get a touch under pressure from Bohs centre back Dan Byrne past Bohs keeper Colin McCabe from deep inside the penalty area.
And it didn’t stop there. Noel Hunt’s brilliant first-time ball sent Sander Puri in on goal after a defensive mistake and he was dragged down by defender Paddy Kirk. Referee Sean Grant pointed to the spot and Stanley Aborah gave the Blues a 2-1 lead sending McCabe the wrong way.
Garry Comerford then went close to extending the but he couldn’t find the net from Aborah’s right-wing corner.
Cory Galvin struck wide of McCabe’s goal before Bohs could have levelled in the second half. Eoghan Stokes played in Magerusan, he skipped passed Garry Comerford but Niall Corbet produced a good low save.
Two minutes later the Blues secured the points. Sander Puri blocked keeper McCabe’s clearance but the ball dropped to defender Dan Casey. His skewed clearance fell to Noel Hunt and he passed the ball into the back of the unguarded net with the aid of the inside of the post.
Cory Galvin continued to cause problems and struck the crossbar with the ball adjudged to not have crossed the line before Dean O’Halloran’s excellent control and strike was narrowly over the crossbar as the Blues picked up an important three points to secure a top 4 finish.
Bohemians Colin McCabe, Andy Lyons, Dan Casey, Dan Byrne, Paddy Kirk, Dan Kelly (Promise Omochere 62), Robbie McCourt (Rob Cornwell 67), Oscar Brennan, Jamie Hamilton, Eoghan Stokes, Cristian Magerusan (Danny Grant 73).
Waterford FC: Niall Corbet, Rory Feely, Kenny Browne, Garry Comerford, Dylan Barnett, Paul Keegan, Stanley Aborah (Gavan Holohan 90), Bastien Hery, Sander Puri, Cory Galvin (Courtney Duffus 88), Noel Hunt (Dean O’Halloran 65)
Referee: Sean Grant (Wexford)
