With Pineapple Stu only arriving at the ground in injury time (he was in manoeuvres in preperation for saving the world from the evil Dr. Heimlich - or something like that anyway - I was distracted by our "defending"), I guess someone else has to write a report. Oh dear.
Early indications were promising. We had no referee. It seems the Eircom league forgot to appoint one. After Aberdonian Stu's application was turned down, a ref was sourced, and duely arrived in time to start the match 45 minutes late.
The match began with Waterford looking more like winning it. I suspect that this was due to that early two goal lead, but remain open-minded about it. UCD looked disinterested, totally lacking in concentration. The second minute saw Heffernan (I think) skip in from the left, past Shorthall, who'd decided to hide under the pitch, and score a decent goal.
Amazingly, it took all of eleven minutes for Waterford to get another decent chance on goal, in spite of prompting and aid from various Pats-hating UCD players. This time, a probing run down the right was met with some sort of stern opposition, but the quick centre gave Waters (unless perchance AERTEL is wrong) a chance. Closed down with all the speed of an arthritic over-75s team, he rocketed it into the bottom right, leaving Quigley with no chance.
Thereafter, UCD came into the game a bit more, but looked about as likely to score as Alan Mahon through on goal. For about the 28th time this season, we rediscovered that hoofing aimlessly at the opposing centre halves doesn't get you anywhere, and started to play it through Dicker and down the wings more. UCD were awarded a clear, but fairly soft penalty in the 30th minute, but Robbie Martin's shot was a convenient height for the Waterford keeper, who saved well.
Minutes later, we were denied a second penalty on the age-old rule that you can only have one, unless you're Shels.
Half time came, and with it still 0-2, we didn't look good enough to get back into it. Still, Mahon seems to have kicked ass with the appropriate quantity and fury, and the team played much better in the second half - not very hard, the cynic might note.
McWalter showed off his Duff-like skills a few minutes in, skipping past two to let the breeze-assisted ball trickle towards the goalkeeper, who went for tea, returning to scoop it up. Depending on your point of view, McWalter's next move either proved he should really be playing up front, or justified playing him on the wing. Either way, he did much the same trick again, only this time he scuffed the ball sufficiently hard that the keeper didn't get to it.
Four minutes later, in the 70th minute, Anto Murphy burst past the last defender, unfortunately quite wide. Almost on the line, with it looking like he'd have to centre for Robbie Martin, who was surrounded by three Waterford men, Murphy struck it sweetly just inside the far post, in what must be one of the best goals scored in Belfield all season.
With a point safe in the bag, UCD pressed on with all the attacking force of a concussed, one-legged rhino. Waterford held on, though the point not good enough for them.
The PA announced that Anto Murphy was subbed off for Brian Gannon. Moments later, Murphy sent a shot narrowly wide. The PA announced that Niall Hurley had been subbed off for Brian Gannon.
When the three minutes of injury time were indicated, the fans cheered. Maybe we could still snatch a win. Instead, a Waterford sucker punch saw the other Blues escape with three points they so nearly threw away.
