(Waterford win 4-2 on aggregate)
Waterford are one step closer to a return to the Premier Division after a Romeo Akachukwu hat-trick inspired the team to a 3-1 victory over Athlone Town in the First Division promotion semi-finals.
The Blues had to do it the hard way after Franz Pierrot equalised for Athlone midway through the second half.
Ireland U17 international Akachukwu's second of the game in the 78th minute was the difference and the third added to the celebrations in the stands filled with 2,237 spectators.
📽️ | A moment he'll never forget! 3️⃣
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) October 28, 2023
Take a bow, Romeo Akachukwu 🙇#LOI | #WATATH pic.twitter.com/4GtE30BKmL
As expected, Waterford took control of possession when the game kicked off and Athlone were tasked with reacting.
The Blues did what they could while managing that, and the sense of expectation brought on by the sizable home crowd that was hoping to see Keith Long’s side confirm their tag of favourites.
Dean McMenamy and Roland Idowu both made forward runs but were met by a blanket Athlone defence led by German Fuentes Rodriguez and Noah Van Geenen.
The pair worked in tandem to head away everything that was sent into the area by Waterford, and Athlone soaked up the pressure in between crosses through precise marking and positioning.
Pierrot was able to use his size to shield the ball and create Athlone first’s chance by sending a quick pass to Josh McGlone on the right wing. Aaron Connolly tried to finish this move but his side-footed attempt was stopped at the near post by Sam Sargeant.
That wasn’t the only chance that went Athlone’s way during the first half. They broke after an Idowu shot rolled wide at the far post and Darragh Power stopped the counter attack by bringing down Pierrot. The striker went for goal with the resulting free-kick and Sargeant reacted to stop the shot, and he denied Van Geenen from scoring with the rebound.
The first-half finished goalless and Long replaced McMenamy with Akachukwu just after the hour.
One of his first touches turned in a Coughlan pass and that made it 1-0 to Waterford in the 64th minute.
📽️ | Here's how Waterford took the lead against Athlone Town this afternoon!
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) October 28, 2023
They've since been pegged back, catch the final 15 minutes of regular time on LOITV 📺#LOI | #WATATH pic.twitter.com/WOayZD7xz8
It was a simple finish from right in front of the posts but the feeling of jubilation was halted when Derik Osede brought down Pierrot and a penalty was awarded to Athlone.
The striker converted and it was 2-2 with just under 20 minutes left to play at the RSC.
However, Coughlan set up Akachukwu to get his second of the game and the striker completed his treble by running onto an Idowu pass and finishing past Enda Minogue.
Waterford will now play the winner of Cobh Ramblers and Wexford FC in the promotion final.
Waterford FC: Sam Sargeant; Darragh Power, Ryan Burke, Rowan McDonald (Niall O’Keeffe 75), Barry Baggley, Connor Parsons, Derik Osede (Killian Cantwell 87), Ronan Coughlan, Roland Idowu, Giles Philips, Dean McMenamy (Romeo Akachukwu 61).
Athlone Town: Enda Minogue; German Fuentes Rodriguez, Jack Kavanagh (Josh McGlone 8) (Dylan Gavin 61), Noah Van Geenen, Daniel McKenna, Patrick Hickey, Aaron Connolly, Franz Pierrot, Valerii Dolia (Shane Forbes 89), Oisin Duffy, Matthew Baker (Matthew Leal 89).
Referee: Gavin Colfer
