Waterford FC produced another statement result in their fight for Premier Division survival, overcoming a late Derry City rally to secure a dramatic 4-2 victory at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.
Graham Coughlan’s side looked to have the contest firmly under control after building a three-goal advantage, only for Derry to stage a remarkable comeback through former Waterford players Rob Slevin and Adam O’Reilly. With the home side pushing for an unlikely equaliser, substitute Jorgen Voilas struck deep into stoppage time to seal all three points for the visitors.
The result continues Waterford’s remarkable resurgence after finding themselves 11 points adrift at the foot of the table only a month ago.
After a cagey opening, Waterford fashioned the first chance on 11 minutes when Will Johnson’s powerful strike from the edge of the box was superbly blocked by Barry Cotter.
Three minutes later the visitors were awarded a penalty. Conan Noonan released Johnson and when the winger’s flick struck the hand of Conor Barr, referee Declan Toland pointed immediately to the spot. The resulting penalty was emphatically dispatched by Tommy Lonergan into the top corner beyond Brian Maher.
Derry almost found an immediate response on 23 minutes when O’Reilly surged forward from midfield and smashed a fierce effort against the crossbar.
Waterford came within inches of extending their lead moments later. Benny Couto’s corner found John Mahon whose header was cleared off the line by Brandon Fleming. The rebound fell to Padraig Amond, but Fleming somehow managed a second goal-line clearance.
The home side continued to threaten and should have equalised when Liam Boyce sent O’Reilly racing through on goal. However, Stephen McMullan stood tall to produce an outstanding save with his legs.
Derry started the second period brightly. James Olayinka saw an effort blocked by Mahon while Boyce and his teammates continued to probe for an opening against a determined Waterford rearguard.
Fleming also tested McMullan just after the hour mark but the Waterford goalkeeper dealt comfortably with the effort.
The Blues issued a warning on 67 minutes when Johnson was fouled just outside the area. Conan Noonan’s resulting free-kick beat Maher but crashed back off the crossbar.
Two minutes later Waterford doubled their advantage. A slick move involving Padraig Amond and Sam Glenfield ended with a clinical finish from Tommy Lonergan beyond Maher to make it 2-0.
The visitors appeared to have wrapped up the points on 77 minutes. Jordan Houston released Hayden Cann down the right and his low cross was expertly converted by Pádraig Amond from close range for 3-0.
Derry nearly responded immediately when Michael Duffy rattled the underside of the crossbar, and that opportunity sparked an incredible finale.
On 82 minutes Duffy’s corner was met by substitute Slevin, who powered a header past McMullan to give the hosts hope.
The Brandywell crowd found its voice again three minutes later. Cameron Dummigan’s effort was brilliantly tipped onto the crossbar by McMullan, but O’Reilly reacted quickest to the rebound and fired home to cut the deficit to a single goal.
Suddenly a game that seemed finished was alive again as Derry poured forward in search of an equaliser.
But deep into stoppage time Waterford finally settled matters. A perfectly weighted through ball from Lonergan released substitute Jorgen Voilas, who raced clear, rounded Maher and rolled into the empty net to spark celebrations among the travelling support.
DERRY CITY: Maher; Cotter, Barr, P McClean, Fleming; Olayinka, O’Reilly, Dummigan, J McClean (Slevin 56); Boyce (Doherty 78), Duffy.
WATERFORD FC: McMullan; Houston (Voilas 87), Cann, Long, Mahon, Couto; Glenfield, Johnson (McMenamy 74), Noonan (Coyle 87); Lonergan, Amond.
