Students move into top half
UCD recorded their first win in 7 games with a comprehensive 3-1 victory against a lacklustre Waterford United tonight at the RSC. Despite Waterford taking an early lead UCD dominated throughout and the margin of victory could have been greater.
Pete Mahon made no changes to the side that had lost in Bray earlier in the week as none of the players on UCD's injury list had recovered.
UCD created the first chance of the game after 4 minutes. Ian Berminham made a run down the left wing and cut inside. However he dargged his right-footed effort just wide of the near post.
Although UCD had most of the opening possession it was Waterford who took the lead after 12 minutes against the run of play. The UCD defence failed to adequetly clear a Waterford free kick and the ball fell to Pat Flynn on the right wing who moved the ball inside to Shane Harte. Harte played a first time pass to Paul McCarthy who had time to take the ball under control and place the ball into the bottom right hand corner with a well struck strike from 20 yards.
The goal came as a shock to the visitors and began to pile on the pressure. On 20 minutes Conor Sammon played a brilliant through ball to Paul Byrne after flicking on an Alan McNally long ball. With Byrne through on goal and about to pull Kenny Browne came to the home side's rescue with an excellent last ditch tackle.
Browne again prevented College equalising when he cleared the ball out for a corner with McNally looking set to score. From the resulting corner Dean Delaney saved well from Conan Byrne.
On the half hour mark UCD were extremely unlucky not to have scored. During a goalmouth scramble Delaney pull off 3 great saves to deny Derek Doyle twice and Conor Sammon. Sammon also had an overhead kick headed onto the bar by Waterford defender John Hayes.
However Waterford could not withstand UCD's pressure for much longer and conceded a penalty after 37 minutes. Brian Shorthall played a good through ball to Shane McFaul on the right wing. After moving inside he knocked the ball past Browne who took out McFaul, making no attempt to play the ball. Paul Byrne stepped up the cooly slot the ball into the bottom right hand corner, just past the outstretched arms of Dean Delaney.
Waterford responded positively and should have re-taken the lead 2 minutes later. Matt Gregg poorly punched clear a free kick and the ball was worked back into the penalty area. Some poor defending left Vinny Sullivan in acres of space but he blazed over from 8 yards out.
Waterford were left to rue the missed opportunity as UCD took the lead on the stroke of half time. McNally played a long ball to Paul Byrne who had broken the offside trap. As he bore down on goal he squared the ball to substitute Timmy Purcell who slipped as he was about to finish. With Robbie Hedderman about to clear Conan Byrne burst in from the right and nicked the ball away from under him. In doing so Hedderman brought him down and a second penalty of the night was awarded to the Students. Paul Byrne again stepped up to take it but his penalty was poor this time, with Delaney saving with his legs. However the rebound fell to Conan Byrne who scored into an empty net and gave the away side the lead heading into the break.
The home side had the ball in the net after 53 minutes but it was ruled out much to the disgust of the home fans. Robert Brosnam headed the ball past Gregg but was adjudged to have foulded Alan McNally in the process. UCD went straight up the pitch and Purcell almost extended their lead but shot narrowly wide.
From here on it was all UCD as the Waterford defence could not cope with the pace of the away side's attacks. Conan Byrne was a constant thorn in the Blues defence and his good work almost resulted in UCD increasing their lead. After beating Hedderman with his trickery he sent over an inviting cross. His namesake Paul was just about unable to reach the ball when if he had made contact seemed certain to score.
However UCD scored their third goal after 72 minutes. Conan Byrne again made light work of Hedderman, cutting inside and unleashed a left-footed shot that was destined for the top corner. Dean Delaney managed to save the effort but he knocked the ball right into the path of Paul Byrne who stooped low to head into an empty net to score his sixth league goal of the season.
UCD: Gregg, Mahon (Bolger H/T), McNally, Kenna, Bermingham; C. Byrne, Shorthall, McFaul, Doyle; P. Byrne, Sammon (Purcell '40).
Subs not used: Quigley, O'Callaghan, Moran.