Flattering Salthill Devon fail to take the most of a flying start

WATERFORD United were on the verge of going out of existence last week but after their fans came to the club’s financial rescue, the players rewarded their support with a comprehensive win over Salthill Devon at a soaked Drom on Friday night.

Former Galway United player and Waterford United adviser Pat Dolan was an interested spectator in a game which was in the melting pot at half time, but the visitors took control after the break.

Coming into the game, John Brennan’s charges were minus another key player as striker Enda Curran agreed terms with Athlone Town last week and made an immediate impact by scoring the winner in their victory against Finn Harps. 

Devon, however, got off to a dream start when they hit the front inside three minutes. Brian Geraghty started as a makeshift striker and when his effort was handled by a Waterford defender on the edge of the box, Daniel Cunningham beautifully curled the free kick low into the bottom left corner.

Minutes later Devon almost doubled their lead when Geraghty’s shot rebounded off Waterford keeper Charles Saunders but Craig Harding’s follow up effort went well over the bar.

On 11 minutes, the visitors had their first chance of the game – and they took it. Phil Drohan’s cross from the left flank found Marco Chindea at the back post and he rifled home.

The strong familiar Drom breeze was dominating affairs, but the blues created another decent chance when Conor Meade crept in and Salthill keeper James Keane had to advance. He cleared only as far as the waiting Vinny Sullivan only for the Waterrford man to blaze over.

Devon were battling hard and youngster Conor Barry was impressing in his senior debut for the club in central midfield. Cunningham then crossed for Harding, but the winger missed it and the ball bounced inches wide. As the half hour mark approached, Salthill caught the Waterford United defence napping and Barry was in on goal but with just Saunders to beat, his shot sailed inches over.

Kevin O’Connor, Patrick Barrett and Chindea missed half-chances for the visitors before the break but Devon were holding strong and the sides went in level at the interval.

Devon looked well worth a bet for a draw at this point, having gone their previous three home games without defeat and playing decent football, but at the start of the second-half two early goals killed their challenge.

Within a minute of the restart, the Blues hit the front when a quick Dylan Mernagh throw was collected by Drohan from 25 yards, and the winger let fly after a quick turn and the ball flew into the net.

Devon were rattled and moments later Waterford sailed 3-1 ahead when Seamus Long fed Drohan on the left flank once more and when he cut into the box, he was challenged by Devon’s young Donegal right-back Shane O’Rourke.

How the referee gave a penalty will never be established but nonetheless Ray Matthews pointed to the spot despite the former Finn Harps man clearly winning the ball and the frantic protests of the Devon players.

Conor Meade stood up when tempers eventually cooled and he slotted low to James Keane’s left to give Waterford the two-goal cushion and well on their way towards three points.

The visitors then began to dominate and to sum up Devon’s luck on the night a freak fourth goal arrived when Devon tried to clear a Waterford attack, but the ball struck Waterford’s Conor Whittle on the head and bounced over Keane and into the net.

Devon’s chances of avoiding a bottom-placed finish remain alive but they now face two difficult fixtures on the road which are against Finn Harps and Longford Town respectively.