Waterford took a massive step to securing Europa League football for next season as they deservedly defeated Derry City at the Brandywell.
All the goals came in the first half with Dessie Hutchinson giving the visitors the lead. Dean Shiels levelled things before Gavan Holohan’s deflected goal right on the stroke of half-time ensured Alan Reynolds’ side went home with the points.
The victory, which was inspired by Bastien Hery, means Waterford in third place sit a massive eight points clear of Derry with seven games remaining.
Waterford should have taken the lead on seven minutes as Dessie Hutchinson saw his fantastic right wing cross find Holohan, but the midfielder was unable to turn the ball home at the near post.
City didn’t heed that warning as they fell a goal behind a minute later as another super passing move ended with Noel Hunt’s defence splitting pass finding Hutchinson, who made no mistake firing high past keeper Gerard Doherty.
Waterford should have increased their lead but Sander Puri and Izzy Akinade both went close, while a pass by Akinade just before the half-hour should have released Noel Hunt clear on goal, but Doherty raced off his line to save.
Those missed chances came back to haunt Waterford, as Derry levelled things on 32 minutes as Rory Hale’s left wing cross fell perfectly inside the six yard box to Shiels and the midfielder slotted the ball home.
Right on the stroke of half-time the Blues regained the lead in fortunate circumstances, as Holohan’s left footed strike took a big deflection off Darren Cole on its way into the net.
Shortly after the restart a Holohan ball over Kevin McHattie found Hunt, who easily raced clear from the left back, before seeing his low drive parried away by Doherty.
Minutes later Akinade won possession from Peers on the left hand edge of the box, but fortunately for the big centre-back, the striker’s shot was saved by Doherty.
Soon after a long ball over the top by Cole released Ally Roy, who superbly controlled the ball, but after skipping inside past his marker, his curling left footed strike flashed just wide.
Waterford went close to adding a third on 64 minutes but Akinade’s flick was well kept out by a diving Doherty.
A fantastic passing move on 78 minutes by Waterford ended with Rory Feely’s fantastic centre found Hunt, but the striker somehow headed over with the goal at his mercy.
In the closing minutes Puri showed some super feet to easily get past a few Derry players, before seeing his low drive saved by Doherty and substitute Dean O’Halloran’s follow-up shot was blocked.
Within a minute the woodwork came to Waterford’s rescue as Roy’s clever flick from Jamie McDonagh’s cross came back off the crossbar.
Derry City: Doherty, Cole, Peers (McDonagh 87), Seaborne, McHattie; Splaine (Fisk 70), McEneff, Rory Hale, Shiels; Ronan Hale, Roy.
Waterford: Connor, Cornerford, Browne, Puri, Holohan, Hunt, Feely, Webster, Hutchinson (Keegan 85), Hery, Akinade (O’Halloran 76).
Referee: Paul McLaughlin (Donegal).
