A Pádraig Amond double aided Waterford FC in earning three points on the road, as the Blues defeated Galway United 4-2 at Eamonn Deacy Park.
Before tonight's encounter, John Caulfield’s side came into the fixture having won the previous six home fixtures against Waterford, but that record was halted due to a bright Blues performance.
The visitors started on the front foot, with the first chance of the game arriving from a set-piece.
United’s on-loan shot-stopper Evan Watts failed to collect a corner kick, but, to the relief of the home faithful, Waterford were unable to get a touch goalwards.
At the other end of the pitch, recent signing Aaron Bolger almost caught Stephen McMullan out with an in-swinging cross, while the Waterford keeper was well placed to save a Robert Slevin header.
The damp evening on Corrib-sdie brought greasy conditions, as two clubs positioned in the bottom half of the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division table put in some strong challenges in the crucial six-pointer.
Throughout the opening 45 minutes, the Blues looked threatening on the counter-attack, and it was Pádraig Amond who had the first clear-cut chance of the half.
The experienced striker did well to get in behind the home defence, but his tame close-range effort was welcomed by Watts.
John Coleman’s team continued to mount attacks, and following some neat build-up play, Conan Noonan produced a moment of quality to put them in front in the 31st minute.
Tommy Lonergan teed up Amond, who neatly sent the talented Noonan beyond the United backline, and the midfielder, on loan from Shamrock Rovers, arrowed a low strike beyond Watts and into the bottom corner to the delight of the travelling support.
Moses Dyer’s departure from the Tribesmen has been evident in the last few fixtures, and it continued to be the case tonight as the home team struggled to create many clear-cut openings.
The second half saw Waterford continue where they left off as Amond doubled the Blues’ lead just after the break.
In the 47th minute, Amond once again got in behind the opposition defence and demonstrated his poacher instincts to volley home his 11th league goal of the season.
The Tribesmen fought back, and the introduction of debutant Dara McGuinness brought more energy to their attack, which assisted in United gaining a lifeline in the 59th minute.
Following an awarding of a free kick, substitute David Hurley delivered a teasing ball into the box, which was met by Stephen Walsh, who did superbly to find the bottom corner with a precise header to halve the deficit.
Following a flurry of action, three goals arrived in the space of five minutes.
In the 73rd minute, Darragh Leahy benefitted from a set piece to restore the Blues’ two-goal advantage but two minutes later, the lively McGuinness cannoned home his first goal in maroon.
That moment of optimism for the United supporters was short-lived, as Amond slotted home his second from the penalty spot in the 78th minute.
Chances continued to fall at both ends but it finished 4-2, Waterford picking up a vital win away from home.
Galway United: Watts; Slevin, Brouder (Buckley 67), Walsh, Cunningham; Shaw (McGuinness 45), Borden (Hurley 45), Burns, McCarthy (Keohane 61), Esua; Bolger (Piesold 81).
Waterford FC: McMullan; Burke, Boyle, Horton, McDonald; Amond, Leahy, Lonergan, Noonan, Armstrong (Dempsey 79); Rossiter (McMenamy 80).Referee: Alan Patchell.
