TUBBRITT.NET

February 7, 2002

2001/2002 Match Report #8

eircom National League First Division

Waterford United

Dublin City

Date	28/08/2001
Score (Blues First)	0 - 1
Venue	RSC, Waterford
Kick Off	7.30 PM
Attendance	500
Weather	Warm and Dry
Referee	Alan (I don't give the Blues penalties) Kelly
Goal Scorers	None
Cards	Yellow: Wood, Fitzgerald W, Fitzgerald T
Pitch	Grass long, shot putt net gone

Player	Rating	Comment
Fennelly	7	Looked comfortable again
O'Brien K	6	Wasted a lot of possession
Frost	6	Better at left full
Dempsey	6	Starting to get to grips with First Division
Breen	6	Slip up cost us a point
Whittle D	6	Fought well for every ball
Moore	7	Felt at home on right hand side
Fitzgerald W	7	Chased down every ball
Fitzgerald T	8	Looked lively getting to pace of game
Waters	6	Caused defenders problems
Wood	6	Unlucky to be taken off
SUBS
Logan		Hard to judge but looked for ball
Dooley		Debut only on for 5 minutes

This was by far and above the Blues best performance of the season and only for a defence slip by Breen Waterford would have gained a valuable point against pre season favourites.

During the first half the Blues had two penalty decisions turned down by Cork man Alan Kelly. Is their a directive by the National League not to give Waterford United penalties but if the opposition get into the Blues box the referee must point to the spot at every possible opportunity? This trend seems to be carried on from last season when Waterford were robbed not once but twice by Paul McKeon in the FAI Cup semi final. Also I remember traveling around the country last year shouting from the terraces as the Blues had numerous penalty appeals turned down. Dublin City didn't look as good as we thought they would after all their summer purchases. It was no surprise when half time arrived and the teams were deadlocked at 0-0.

The second half did liven up considerably and Waterford were a faction unlucky on more than a few occasion as through balls just failed to reach the forwards, good runs were not spotted on time, the linesman's flag was raised as we just moved too soon and the City goalkeepers handling was excellent on the night. The difference between gaining three points or none, was one slip by captain David Breen as he fell over the ball and Aaron Lynch struck a powerful shot from 22 yards which net the back of Fennellys net. After this Waterford created some four or five half chances which in other matches would have produced two goals.

This performance however was lively and enthusiastic by all Blues players and we can now build further on this as the season goes on. Life may not be as bad as we thought this year in the First Division.