Derry City came into their meeting with Waterford at the RSC having picked up ten points from their last available fifteen. A run of form which left them lying in sixth place but just three points off the league leaders Drogheda United.
The hosts were looking to avoid an eight successive league defeat with Sligo Rovers just two points below the Blues in the automatic relegation spot. They were also hoping to hit the back of the net for just the sixth time in twelve matches.
After a scrappy opening, the first half chance came the way of the visitors as Robbie Benson struck high and wide and a ball was laid into his path at the edge of the box.
And the Candystripes would cut the Blues defence open for the first clear cut chance of the night as Ryan Burke was caught in behind. However, Derry were left frustrated as the cut back landed straight into keeper Stephen McMullan’s hands.
But the Blues responded with a chance of their own as Grant Horton who was being deployed as a right back on the night whipped in a lofty cross towards the back post where left back Ryan Burke burst onto. However, Burke’s header was cleared off the line by the scrambling Derry defence.
Just two minutes later, Danny Mullen struck wide from a near carbon copy opportunity. It was game on at the RSC after a scrappy opening fifteen minutes.
And to sum up the opening 45 minutes, the scrappiest of scrappy goals broke the deadlock in the south-east. But the home side did not care one iota as Darragh Leahy scrambled the ball home from a corner. Waterford scoring in back-to-back matches for the first time since Feb 28th against Derry City and March 3rd against Cork City.
And the Candystripes nearly responded immediately with a breathtaking counterattack which the rocking Blues fans were only too relieved to see whistle past the post. It was 1-0 to the home side at half time with the home fans up on their feet to applaud their side down the tunnel after a hard fought opening period against the in-form visitors.
And the frustration for Derry was perhaps starting to show with three Candystripes being booked within the opening stages of the second half, two of which were for dissent.
Seeking to get his side back into the game, Derry manager Tiernan Lynch rung the changes with four changes being made in the second half.
However, it was his opposite number who was enjoying the night at the Regional Sports Centre as Matt Lawlor’s men made it two with 25 minutes to go as a knock down from Tommy Lonergan fell into the path of captain Pádraig Amond who’s deflected strike escaped Brian Maher to send the RSC into raptures for a surprising yet deserved 2-0 lead against the much fancied visitors.
But a route back into the game appeared with less than fifteen minutes to go as the ball fell to Sean Patton fifteen yards out but McMullan saved well low to his left to parry clear.
Sam Glenfield responded with a low drive of his own which Brian Maher held onto well to keep his side in the match.
Derry applied late pressure inside the Blues half and the home side struggled to get out for their half for the final ten minutes. And when Liam Boyce halved the deficit inside the allocated additional time, a nervy end was in store.
It was to be no clean sheet again for the Blues, but it was their first win since the 3rd March against Cork City. A valued win to stop the rot for the home side.
For the away side, results at the top end of the table meant the Candystripes were still within touching reach of the league leaders.
Tonight’s result at the RSC a big indication that everything is to play for for every club in 2025.
Waterford: McMullan (GK); Horton, Boyle (White H/T), Radkowski, Leahy, Burke; Olayinka, Glenfield (McCormack 85’), Noonan; Lonergan, Amond.
Subs: Wade (GK), Bakboord, Pouwels, Dempsey, O’Sullivan, Keane, Keohan.
Derry City: Maher (GK); Boyce (Ferguson 61’), Connolly, Holt, Todd; Benson (Harkin 61’), Winchester (O’Reilly H/T), Thomas (Boyce H/T), Duffy, Mullen, Whyte.
Subs: Doherty (GK), McMullan, Cann, Patton, McCourt.
Attendance: 1,859
Referee: Paul Norton