Waterford FC have beaten Galway United by 3 goals to nil at Markets Field in Limerick.
The victory seals an SSE Airtricity League promotion/relegation play-off with UCD and the prospect of Premier League football.
90+4’
One to go ? pic.twitter.com/Rnu0rYLOrZ
— Waterford FC (@WaterfordFCie) November 4, 2022
The Blues opened the scoring after 10 minutes through the electric Junior Quitirna.
Phoenix Patterson tapped a set piece to Junior and his long-range attempt was spilt by Conor Kearns.
? | GOAL!
Waterford take the lead in the First Division Play-Off Final through Junior Quitirna! ?
A moment to forget for Conor Kearns ?
Watch live | https://t.co/zOGOgOjp1S ?#LOI | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/xaLBlAWu5J
— SSE Airtricity League (@SSEAirtricityLg) November 4, 2022
Danny Searle set his men up to sit deep, contain the Galway offence and break with pace through their youthful attack.
The system caused John Caulfield's side issues from the off and the Blues doubled their lead in first-half injury time.
Wassim Aouachria displayed some dogged determination to chase a ball from the back, racing clear to expertly fire past Kearns.
? | GOAL!
Wassim Aouachria doubles the lead for Waterford in the First Division Play-Off Final ?
2-0 now just before the break ⏱️
Watch live | https://t.co/jPdwV1Ivf4 ?#LOI | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/1RiNd3Tdah
— SSE Airtricity League (@SSEAirtricityLg) November 4, 2022
Galway started the stronger of the two sides in the second half, hitting the post after five minutes of play.
The key passage of the second half occurred after 78 minutes when the Tribesmen were awarded a penalty for a foul by Timi Sobowale.
Sobowale had already been booked in the first half and was extremely fortunate to avoid a second yellow.
The resulting spot kick was saved by Paul Martin, much to the delirium of the travelling support.
Waterford immediately transitioned from defence to attack and a cross-field ball from Timi was collected by Patterson, who played Junior clear on goal to smash the ball home.
? | GOAL!
Just minutes after Paul Martin's penalty save, Junior Quitirna's 2nd of the night makes it 3-0 to Waterford! ?
Fine margins! ?
⏱️ 85'
Watch live | https://t.co/zOGOgOjp1S ?#LOI | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/vgt9KselnH
— SSE Airtricity League (@SSEAirtricityLg) November 4, 2022
Attention turns to next Friday and a winner-takes-all rematch against UCD.
The students reigned supreme when the sides previously played this tune and Searle's men will have to be at their best to get one over on their rivals.
