League Report: UCD 5 - 1 Waterford United

UCD recorded their third consecutive win in the league by convincingly defeating a poor Waterford United team 5-1 on a clear evening in south Dublin. Two goals from Jack Watson as well as goals from Jamie Doyle, Maxi Kougoun and captain Robbie Benson saw UCD romp to victory, although Waterford did score a consolation goal through Aaron O'Connor.

The game started as it meaned to continue. UCD came out with intent and began passing the ball around nicely in midfield. A cross after only a couple of minutes from Jamie Doyle was parried to safety by Robert Birdsall but it wasn't long before UCD had found their first goal.

Left back Ryan McLaughlin crossed the ball deep into the box from the left flank. Jack Watson arrived unmarked at the back post and placed the ball with his right foot past Birdsall in the Waterford goal. Just like that, Waterford's gameplan was undone and UCD were in front.

Waterford seemed to be playing a very tight 4-5-1 formation, allowing both full backs Dean Reidy and Shane Dineen to push forward. However, tonight UCD had two players up front in Ryan Swan and Conor Cannon, and they were both able to terrorise Waterford's defence.

The game settled down a bit after UCD took the lead, and the next chance of note came from Brian Nolan. He tried a speculative effort from 30 yards, attempting to catch Corbet off his line, but the effort sailed over the bar. A few minutes later a free-kick swung in by Gary O'Neill saw Waterford goalkeeper Robert Birdsall and UCD's Jamie Doyle clash heads. There was a stoppage in play for a couple of minutes and both players recovered, although perhaps the knock affected Birdsall more.

Jamie Doyle on the left flank was looking the liveliest for UCD in the first half and he was giving Dean Reidy a torrid time. Midway through the first half he ran into the box and let a shot away only for it to be blocked. Waterford were otherwise playing some good football and to their credit didn't change that approach all game, but the second goal was just around the corner.

That man Jamie Doyle was the goal scorer. He was once again played through on the left by a wonderful pass from Robbie Benson. Doyle ran into the box, went on the outside of the defender and shot low and hard and beat the keeper at his near post on 26 minutes. Birdsall certainly could have done better, but the solo effort and shot from Doyle was excellent.

Waterford were forced into a change when Darren Murphy was replaced by Mark Walsh on 31 minutes. Waterford continued to show good urgency after the substitution but a reckless sliding challenge on Jack Watson by Dylan Mernagh just inside Waterford's half would lead to the next goal.

The resulting free-kick led to a corner and from that corner, Gary O'Neill swung the ball into the box, the ball was knocked down into the path of Maxi Kougoun and he headed it into the roof of the net from 5 yards.

The intensity in UCD's play began to decline shortly after the break and it allowed Waterford to slowly come into the game. Brian Nolan worked himself into space and powered a shot at goal. Corbet was able to scramble across and palm it and subsequently claim it.

UCD were forced into a second defensive change when Daniel Tobin replaced Mark Langtry, who picked up a knock with 20 minutes remaining, and perhaps the changes at the back led to Waterford finding a way back into the game.

Brian Nolan ran to the edge of the box from midfield and although he was blocked by the UCD defence, the ball ran through to Aaron O'Connor who slotted in from the right edge of the box into the corner of the net. A very tidy finish.

UCD had seemingly let their foot off the gas and suddenly there was a danger of Waterford getting another goal as they began to grow in confidence. Minutes later and another attack came down the Waterford right wing. The ball was crossed in dangerously only for Maxi Kouogun to tidy up and Adam Harney to clear his lines.

However, UCD showed why they're now only four points off the top of the table soon after. Conor Cannon was slipped through in the box by a wonderful ball from Gary O'Neill. He beat the offside trap and tried to place it to the left of the onrushing keeper. Birdsall got a foot to the ball but Jack Watson got to the rebound before anybody else and slotted the ball into the empty net.

The game and the result were absolutely settled two minutes later. A terrible defensive error was made due to Benson putting the Waterford defence under pressure as the Blues looked to pass the ball out from defence. It allowed the UCD skipper to steal the ball and he ran through one on one with the keeper, rounded him, saw off the pressure from the recovering defender and finished into an empty net.

UCD made their last substitution before Swan had a chance denied by Birdsall and the ball was cleared for a corner. The resulting corner was delivered and Benson unmarked powered a header low but Birdsall made a great save and the ball was cleared.

In stoppage time Gary O'Neill played a wonderful ball through for Ryan Swan, but he mis-controlled the ball and the attack broke down.

So the game ended with UCD increasing their goal difference and recording their 10th league victory of the season. Waterford United should be credited for the manner in which they played the game tonight, but they were undone by a much superior team, who are certainly mounting a serious promotion effort. Only four points separate UCD from Wexford Youths, while UCD also have a game in hand. It's sure to be a fascinating and close battle for the automatic promotion spot in the First Division in the weeks ahead.

UCD: Niall Corbert; Mark Langtry (Daniel Tobin 69), Tomas Boyle (Adam Harney 48), Maxi Kougoun, Ryan McLoughlin; Jamie Doyle (Daire O'Connor 85), Gary O'Neill, Robbie Benson, Jack Watson; Conor Cannon, Ryan Swan.

Subs Not Used: Conor Mackey, Sean Coyne, Tom O'Halloran, Eoin Kirwan.

Yellow Cards: None.

Waterford United: Robert Birdsall; Dean Reidy, Dylan Mernagh, Shane Mackey, Shane Dineen; Darren Murphy (Mark Walsh 31), Ethan Boyle, Evan Galvin, Aaron O'Connor, Brian Nolan; Danny Pender.

Subs Not Used: Matthew Sheehan, Colum Nugent, Sean Duffy.

Yellow Cards: Mernagh (35), Galvin (76).

Referee: Rhona Daly.

Attendance: 187.

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Robbie Benson (UCD).