Back to match reports index

eircom National League First Division

Date	7/12/2001
Score (Blues First)	1 - 1
Venue	RSC, Waterford
Kick Off	7.30 PM
Attendance	1,200
Weather	Dry but in the shade
Referee	T. Tuite
Goal Scorers	O'Brien C
Cards	Yellow: Whittle D, Bradley
Pitch	Very soft not much grass

Another week of upheavel in Waterford United PLC as PP and his backroom staff resigned on Wednesday, after directors wage decreases could not be implemented by PP. Brendan Rea took temporary charge with Paul Scully helping out on the line.

A tense nervous start in the RSC as the fans were still in shock after PP's resignation in midweek. The only change to the team was a welcomed return for Wayne Fitzgrald, who replaced David Moore. Both teams showed from the start that they didnt want to lose this important match as defences were on top and not pushing forward. Set peices looked the only way either team was going to score, and it was a corner which saw the Blues take the lead as Colin O'Brien rose above the Vikings defence to head the ball across the goal and into the net. The home fans cheered with delight, but this joy was short lived as from the kick off City attacked the Blues and won a corner on the right. Waterford who had been struggling to defend against corners all night finally paid the penalty when the ball bounced around the 6 yard box and found its way to a white jersey who thumped the ball home. The game quieten down after this and the referees half time whistle came as a relief to all inside the RSC.

The second half was nearly a non event as both teams looked poor going forward and were reluctant to send players up the pitch. a draw was probably a fair result in what must be said was a poor game in good conditions. Brendan Rea deserves a lot of credit for the way he stood into the managers shoes on Thursday and also to Paul Scully who helped Big Brendan out on a strange night inside a noisy RSC.