Waterford United 5 - 1 Athlone Town

• Brendan White
• Sat, Aug 13 2011


A Paul Murphy hat-trick helped Waterford United on their way to a comprehensive 5-1 win against Athlone Town on Friday night in the RSC. The striker’s treble along with goals for Gary Dunphy and David Breen were enough for a convincing victory.

Athlone Town made two changes from last weekend’s defeat with Conor Kavanagh and Stephen Relihan replaced by Noel McGee and Niall Scullion. Seamus Long, Paul Murphy and Kenny Browne all returned to the Waterford United line-up after injury and suspension, replacing Gary Keane, David Breen and Brian Nolan.

The game was less than two minutes old when Paul Murphy opened the scoring for the home side. Winger Paul Phelan played the ball through and Murphy calmly slotted the ball past the on-rushing Athlone Town goalkeeper Michael Schlingermann.

Athlone Town had their first real attack after Paul Carey had brought down Niall Scullion, but the resulting free kick from Dave Ryan was headed away from danger by Waterford United captain Kevin Murray.

Blues winger Paul Phelan forced Athlone keeper Michael Schlingermann into a save from his cross-come-shot from the left wing. The home side continued to press and Kevin Murray's through ball played in winger Paul Walsh but Schlingermann closed the angle and made the save. Paul Murphy followed up but his strike was blocked.

The home side doubled their lead after 22 minutes. Gary Dunphy whipped in the free kick from the right which was met by the head of former Athlone Town defender David Breen and he looped his header over Schlingermann and into the back of the net.

Athlone threatened just minutes after conceding a second. Dave Ryan burst through the home defence but his attempted pass was deflected wide by Paul Phelan for a corner. The remaining twenty minutes of the first half failed to deliver with both sides looking somewhat happy with a scoreline going into half time.

Athlone Town started the second half the brighter team, having good spells of possession, but failing to trouble home keeper Kevin Burns. His opposite number could do nothing to stop Paul Murphy who, after nutmegging defender Paul Danaher, chipped the ball over the stranded keeper but saw his effort rebound back off the crossbar.

Athlone had a superb chance to get a goal back after 58 minutes . Dave Ryan burst through the home defence but, after breaking free from defender Paul Carey, a moment’s hesitance allowed Carey back to get a vital touch on the ball and steer it onto the crossbar and out for a corner.

Athlone were made to pay for their missed chances when Gary Dunphy put the game beyond doubt on 67 minutes. Dunphy made ground down the left before playing a one-two with winger Paul Phelan before slotting the ball low into the bottom corner to make it 3-0.

The home side regained possession from the kick-off and mounted another counter attack. Adam McSherry drove to the byline before firing the ball across goal for Paul Murphy to grab his second of the game.

Seven minutes later Athlone Town pulled a goal back. Referee Sean Grant adjudged Kevin Burns to have picked up a backpass and awarded an in-direct free-kick. Kevin Williamson laid the ball off to Wayne Colbert and he fired the ball past the wall of Blues on the goal-line.

Waterford went in search of a fifth goal and it duly arrived on 82 minutes. Gary Dunphy took a short free kick square to Paul Murphy and he fired a thunderbolt from 25-yards into the bottom right corner of Michael Schlingermann’s goal.

In the end it was as much as the home side deserved, but missed chances at vital times cost Athlone dearly on the night. The result leaves Athlone Town in eight place in the table while Waterford United continue to push toward the top of the table with their faint promotion chances still intact.

Waterford United: Burns; Carey, Browne, Murray, Long; Walsh (Wilson 70’), Sinnott (Breen 13’), Dunphy, Phelan (Keane 74’); Murphy, McSherry.
Subs not used: Nolan, Balevicius, Heaslip, Barron.
Yellow cards: Seamus Long (79’)

Athlone Town: Schlingermann; Carr, Woods (Barrett HT), Danaher, Fallon; Colbert, Williamson, Scullion (Murray 58’), Hughes (Sherlock 68’), Ryan; McGee.
Subs not used: Tier, Walsh, Stack, Collopy.
Yellow cards: Danaher (79’)

Referee: Sean Grant (Wexford)
Official Attendance: 289
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Paul Murphy - Superb hat-trick and well deserved Man of the Match award.