Waterford United maintained their unbeaten record at the RSC when they produced a positive, controlled performance against a subdued Longford Town side that rarely threatened the home goal.
Unfortunately for the cash-strapped Suirside club, the fans failed to answer repeated appeals for support and, on a beautiful, warm night, only 320 turned up including season-ticket holders.
United opened the scoring on nine minutes when Robbie Clarke found Kevin Waters out on the left and he floated a tantalising, hanging ball across the goal where David Breen rose above the defence to head into the far roof of the net.
The Blues lost their goalkeeper Packie Holden on 26 minutes when he suffered a nasty facial injury and was replaced by Ben Spicer. An accidental collision occurred when Iarfhlaith Davern crossed from the left and Holden dived bravely at the feet of the inrushing Darren McKenna.
For the most part, United controlled the first half and they went two-up three minutes before half-time. Karl Bermingham drew the goalkeeper when he was put clean through the middle by Luke Fitzpatrick and he calmly placed the ball to the left of the advancing Neil Gallagher.
United put the points beyond the visitors' reach on 62 minutes following a delightful passage of play between Michael Foley and Bermingham. The move began with a superb tackle by Robbie Clarke in his own half that disposed Robert Douglas. The ball was taken up by Foley who threaded it through to Bermingham who touched it back for Foley to score from point-blank range.
United's fourth goal was a glorious 35-yard strike from David Grincell that soared high into the top corner of the net giving Gallagher no chance.
Waterford United: Holden (Spicer, 26 minutes), Quigley (Fitzgerald, 55 minutes), Clarke, Breen, Hayes, Warren, Waters, Fitzpatrick, Sullivan (Grincell, 68 minutes), Bermingham, Foley. Substitutes not used: Kiely, Mulcahy.
Longford Town: Gallagher, Garry, Gough, Doyle, Hardy, Harte (Oladele, 65 min utes), Douglas (Weiss, 88 minutes), Rushe, Murphy, McKenna (Connolly, 82 minutes), Davern.
