SECOND-HALF GOALS from John Martin and Anthony Wordsworth saw Waterford gain revenge on Bohemians for their FAI Cup semi-final exit.
And they gave their survival hopes a massive boost with this come-from-behind win at Dalymount Park.
1
It is a damaging defeat for Bohs, denting their European qualification hopes via the league as they blew the chance to move above fourth-placed Derry City, who they visit on Friday night.
That is a match their talisman striker Georgie Kelly, who scored his 20th league goal of the campaign to put the Gypsies ahead here, looks set to miss after limping off.
The win sees Waterford edge above Finn Harps and out of the relegation play-off place.
Starting at a frantic pace, the game delivered chances at either end inside the opening two minutes.
Bohemians probed from the off, Promise Omochere powering forward to put Jamie Mullins in on goal only for the 17-year-old’s touch to desert him.
Blues struck back with new boy Ronaldo Green teeing up a shot from distance that was straight at James Talbot.
BETTING SPECIAL – GET €50 IN FREE BETS WITH BOYLESPORTS
Back at the other end Mullins had another sight of goal from Keith Ward’s ball in from the left but his drive was headed away by the towering Greg Halford.
Ciarán Kelly’s quick free-kick over the top then caught Blues napping. Having timed his run well, Omochere never really got hold of his shot which was wide across goal.
Bohs’ energetic winger continued to cause the visitors problems, his cross picking out Georgie Kelly in the area but he curled wide.
Bohs finally got their reward four minutes before the break.
James Finnerty fed Dawson Devoy just inside his own half with the Ireland Under-21 international getting his head up to play a superb through ball straight down the middle.
Onside, Kelly needed little invitation to gallop through, round keeper Paul Martin and slide home his 26th goal of the season across all competitions.
A FINE GOAL
Revitalised on the resumption, Waterford levelled with a fine goal of their own four minutes in;.
Although there was an element of luck to it.
Halford’s throw was whipped across by Jack Stafford. Wordsworth’s fine header was parried away by Talbot who then also blocked Phoenix Patterson’s follow-up.
But the ball ricocheted off the Blues winger to fly back across goal and be bundled over the line by Martin.
And Waterford won it when Junior Quitirna sent Patterson free on the left and his pass picked out the impressive Wordsworth, who scored with a composed finish.
SUN STAR MAN – Anthony Wordsworth (Waterford)
BOHEMIANS: Talbot 7; Feely 7, Finnerty 7, C Kelly 7, Wilson 7; Levingston 6 (Idowu 59, 6), Devoy 7; Omochere 7, Ward 6 (Coote 66, 6), Mullins 6 (Tierney 59, 6); G Kelly 7 (Kiernan 72, 6).
WATERFORD: P Martin 7; Power 7, Halford 7, Nolan 7 (Stringer 89, 6), Stafford 7; Wordsworth 8, Evans 6; J Martin 7, Green 6 (Griffin 65, 6), Patterson 7; Junior 7.
REFEREE: Rob Hennessy (Clare) 7.
