League Report: Waterford 1 - 1 Derry City

It ended a point apiece in the RSC on Friday night as Waterford and Derry City had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Junior Ogedi-Ozokwe gave the visitors the lead but Michael O’Connor’s equaliser before half time ensured the sides couldn’t be separated.

Derry City opened the scoring after just 11 minutes.

Barry McNamee found Ciaran Coll and his cross to the back post evaded home goalkeeper Matthew Connor and Ogedi-Ozokwe was on hand to chest the ball into the back of the empty net.

David Parkhouse went close midway through the first half but he fired over Connor’s crossbar.

Peter Cherrie was forced into a smart save when Walter Figueira crossed to the back post for O’Connor.

His shot was blocked by a wall of visiting defenders before John Kavanagh forced Cherrie into a low save.

The keeper was in action again seven minutes before the break. O’Connor was fouled by Eoin Toal 25 yards from goal but Kevin Lynch’s dipping free was well tipped over the bar.

David Parkhouse could have doubled the lead as the game approached the halfway mark. Maxim Kouogun’s slip-up at the back allowed the striker in on goal but Connor was out quick to save.

Despite the City chances, Waterford levelled two minutes before the break. Kavanagh crossed to the back post and O’Connor rose highest to head home the equaliser.

Declan Devine’s side started the second half well as Michael McCrudden and McNamee both forced Blues keeper Matthew Connor into a smart saves.

The home side had their own chance but O’Connor’s cross for Figueira was well cut out by Cherrie.

Kenny Browne couldn’t find the target for before Jamie McDonagh fired across the Waterford goal as the sides traded chances.

Figueira then forced Cherrie to save well after good build up from Georgie Poynton.

McCrudden headed over the crossbar for Derry before Waterford had one late chance to grab the points.

Shane Duggan couldn’t keep his right-footed effort on target, however, after good work from Georgie Poynton, as the sides picked up a point each.

Waterford: Matthew Connor, John Kavanagh, Kenny Browne, Maxi Kouogun, Kevin Lynch, Shane Duggan, Sam Bone, Georgie Poynton, Zack Elbouzedi (Dean O’Halloran 69), Michael O’Connor, Walter Figueira (Will Fitzgerald 89).

Subs not used: Paul Martin (gk), Rob Slevin, JJ Lunney, Tom Holland, Cory Galvin.

Booked: Michael O’Connor (83).

Derry City: Peter Cherrie, Ciaran Coll, Eoin Toal, Ally Gilchrist, Barry McNamee, Jamie McDonagh, Grant Gillespie, Gerardo Bruna (Jack Malone 68), Michael McCrudden (Aidy Delap 89), David Parkhouse, Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe (Darren McCauley 62).

Subs not used: Nathan Gartside (gk), Jack Parke, Mark McChrystal, Ronan Boyce.

Booked: Ciaran Coll (17).

Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).

Attendance: 1,211 (official).

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Georgie Poynton (Waterford).