As the old saying goes -“A sign of a good team is to win when they’re not playing well”- and that is what Rovers did tonight. They extend their lead at the top of the table 11 points although Bohs and Derry both have 2 games in hand. Waterford stay in 8th but are a comfortable 8 points ahead of Sligo in 9th.
The game started with the hosts enjoying the line share of possession but Waterford were very comfortable in their shape. There was a nervy feel in the crowd as Rovers looked to bounce back from Monday night’s defeat at Dalymount. The closest they came e in the first half was when Graham Burke stood a cross to the back post where Danny Grant saw his effort hit the post
Waterford gradually played their way into the game and were buoyed by a nervousness in Rovers’ play. They created the clearest chance at either end in the first half when they worked the ball out to Dempsey who found Olayinka in the box who hit a shot that forced McGinty into making a fine save.
The half fizzled out in the main bar from a couple of half chances at each end. Burke and Mandriou testing McMullan from distance with Olayinka doing likewise for Waterford. John Coleman definitely would’ve been the happiest of the two managers going in at half time. Bradley would have been looking for a bit more of a reaction from his players after losing to Bohs last time
The 2nd half somewhat like the first struggled to catch fire which suited the visitors down to the ground. The tension was growing and growing inside Tallaght Stadium. Waterford continued to test McGinty from distance this time through Rowan McDonald after 55 minutes. Bradley moved first by bringing Rory Gaffney and Jack Byrne into the fray in place of Graham Burke and Dylan Watts. Rovers lack of creativity was sticking out like a sore thumb in the first half and the majority of the second until Jack Byrne came on.
Daniel Mandriou was lively all night. He has a bit of a tendency to let games pass him by but tonight he was on it from the start. It was his shot with just over 15 minutes to play that Stephen McMullan couldn’t gather and Rory Gaffney was there for the rebound like a wily old fox to send the majority of Tallaght Stadium into raptures followed by a collective sigh of relief!
Waterford never really looked like getting back into it from there. Stephen Bradley was able to give impressive young winger Max Kovalevskis some more minutes. Waterford will no doubt be disappointed with the outcome as they easily could’ve gotten something out of the game whereas for Rovers they extend their lead at the top to 11 points on a night where they had to grind it out.
Man of the Match: Daniel Mandriou
Referee: Paul Norton