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Jayz, you don't hang about, do you?!
Robbie Martin's 29th league strike for UCD sealed a just-about deserved first league win of the season over Waterford United on Friday night. In an open game, both sides had plenty of chances, and the two goalkeepers - in particular, Darren Quigley - were largely responsible for there only being one goal in the game.
A couple of well-known faces were in the stands for the game - Mick McCarthy, there to scout Waterford's highly-rated Irish U-21 international Daryl Murphy, and Paul McGrath. Only Mick McCarthy was announced over the PA - McGrath having somehow sneaked in unnoticed! - but both spent much of the match signing autographs.
The best chance of the first half probably fell the way of the visitors. From 25 yards, Murphy hit a swerving low shot which Darren Quigley did well to get down and block; the rebound was seized by Murphy's strike partner, but Quigley was up to save with his feet and reach out a hand to turn the loose ball away for a corner. Some dubious linesmanning denied Waterford on a couple of occasions in the first half, but the compliment was returned in the second.
The slight majority of the chances were at the other end, however. Pat McWalter in particular was giving the Waterford defence a torrid time, and it was he who ran onto Damien Dupuy's well-weighted through ball only to drag his shot inches wide from 15 yards with only the keeper to beat. Twice more UCD got in behind the Waterford defence, but both Anto Murphy and Dupuy elected to shoot when the pull-back might have been the better option.
In the second half, UCD were again just about on top, and were considering the introduction of Colm Kierans to liven up the attack when they took the lead with a superbly-worked goal. Damien Dupuy picked the ball up midway inside the Waterford half and fed McWalter on the overlap; his cross was turned in first-time on the volley by Robbie Martin, leaving Packie Holden in the Waterford goal no chance.
UCD continued to press, but came across the same problem they have all season so far - a team creating too few decent scoring chances. However, it must be noted that the performance was certainly better than the Bray game, which in turn was better than the Drogheda game, so hopefully it is just a case of the team settling back into the Premier.
Waterford made a double sub as they went to chase the game - bringing on first Willie Doyle and then Seán Finn. Doyle threatened on occasions, but his performance was more like the second half of last season than the first, and all too often he lost his footing at the vital moment. When he did get on the ball, he found Alan Mahon and Tony McDonnell in particular in imperious form, with Stephen Hurley and Gary Dicker ready to pick up the pieces and start another attack. Finn, however, nearly scored with one of his trademark volleys from distance - this time returning a clearance inches over the bar from all of 25 yards. Darren Quigley also had to be alert when brilliantly turning away a drive at his near post.
As UCD overcame the pressure though, they became the team who looked more likely to score the next goal. Conor Sammon had a cheeky flicked effort well saved by Holden at his near post, while the same player, probably thinking himself offside, had a nonchalant backheel just wide with no flag appearing to go up.
So a first goal in about 350 minutes of play, a first win of the season and both our first-choice strikers off the mark. Next up is St Pat's as UCD hope to build on the last couple of games and at least put some daylight between them and the other teams down at the bottom (Harps, Bohs and Rovers!)
UCD - Quigley; Mahon, O'Donnell, McNally, McDonnell; Hurley, Anto Murphy, Dicker, McWalter; Martin (Kierans 85), Dupuy (Sammon 85). Subs not used - Gallagher, Lynch, AN Other
Att - 505
Originally Posted by pineapple stu
Why?? 
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