Match Report: City 2-1 Waterford

Match Report: City 2-1 Waterford

Cork City grabbed a vital three points on Easter Monday as they came from 1–0 down in the dying minutes to net twice.

An Evan McLaughlin penalty and a deftly finished strike from Kitt Nelson in the 96th minute ensured City completed a sensational Easter resurrection.

Tim Clancy made two changes from his side’s loss in Phibsborough the previous week, with Greg Bolger making his first start since returning from injury as he replaced Kitt Nelson. There was also a new face in the eleven, as new signing Djenairo Daniels started at striker.

Managerless Waterford made three changes after their previous home loss to Sligo, as Andy Boyle and Ryan Burke were introduced in defence and Dean McMenamy started in midfield.

City had the first big opportunity of the game just three minutes in, as they overturned possession in their own half and caught Waterford on the counterattack. Sean Murray surged forward and played a through-pass to Cathal O’Sullivan, but the young winger fluffed his shot inside the box, sending it flying over the bar.

There wasn’t much in the way of clear-cut chances for the duration of the first half, as both teams struggled to threaten either goalkeeper. Cork City almost dismissed this notion completely in added time, as Charlie Lyons played Cathal O’Sullivan through with an intelligent pass, but O’Sullivan’s shot was kept out by Blues keeper McMullan.

The Blues proceeded to take the lead in the 53rd minute as Conan Noonan did brilliantly to out-muscle Greg Bolger to keep the ball on the byline, and the 22-year-old passed inside to Tom Lonergan in the box who slotted a shot past Tein Troost.

The Déise weren’t far off bagging a second goal just five minutes later. Fullback Ryan Burke’s run up the left wing was spotted by Lonergan, who laid the ball to Burke who shot powerfully at goal from outside the box, seeing his shot curl narrowly to the right of the post and wide.

It looked like City would never find the equaliser they desired, as they barely threatened the Waterford net in front of the Shed in the second half. As the clock wore on towards the ninety, it looked like an Easter miracle would be needed.

In the 88th minute City began to ramp up the pressure on Waterford and Rio Shipston found himself on the ball on the left wing. He laid the ball off to the overlapping Cathal O’Sullivan, who hit a cross into the box, but he was caught by a late tackle from Suriname international Navajo Backboord. Penalty given.

Evan McLaughlin made no mistake of the spot kick, striking the ball down the middle leaving McMullan with no chance.

City tails were clearly up as the fourth official signaled six additional minutes of injury time.

After nullifying a dangerous Waterford attack in his own half, Rio Shipston launched a long ball towards the Waterford end where Cathal O’Sullivan gave chase. He was initially beaten by Kacper Radkowski, but the young winger showed brilliant determination to nick the ball back on the right wing and drive inside to the Waterford box, playing a short pass to Kitt Nelson who rifled an inch-perfect shot into the top corner in front of the Shed.

In what was almost a sick twist to an already drama-filled game, Waterford won a free-kick in the dying moments which was initialy headed clear, but only as far as James Olayinka on the edge of the box who rattled a belter of a shot off the crossbar.

It was undoubtedly a vital three points for City, who now can take huge motivation from the result as an equally important trip to Sligo awaits on Saturday.

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Welcome to City, Djenairo Daniels!

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