Waterford United 0 - 4 Mervue United

Mervue United moved to the top of the Airtricity League First Division with a thumping 4-0 win against Waterford United at the RSC on Saturday night.

Goals from Noel Varley, Jason Molloy and a brace from Tom King saw Johnny Glynn’s side earn a resounding win over a Waterford United side that leaves manager Paul O’Brien’s position under threat.

Mervue United’s Brendan Lavelle had a great chance to open the scoring after just two minutes. Jason Molloy played in Marc Ludden down the left channel and his low cross found Lavelle. The striker had time to turn but he dragged his shot into the side netting.

Ben Ryan then went close for the home side after taking the pass from Paudie Quinn. Ryan beat three before shooting straight at Conor Gleeson.

Mike Elwood almost put the ball into the back of his own net when he blocked down Daragh Walshe’s cross but it dropped into the side netting with keeper Gleeson wrong-footed.

Mervue United deservedly took the lead eight minutes before the break. Jason Molloy, who caused Aidan McGrath continuous trouble up to the point, found Brendan Lavelle who crossed for Tom King to head the ball past Craig Hyland.

King was denied a minute later by Hyland after Curran’s cross, before the lead was eventually doubled. Tom King was again involved and he crossed for Noel Varley to rise and head superbly past Hyland, giving the keeper no chance.

That eventually sprung the home side into action but Conor Gleeson was again in good form as he superbly pushed Peter White’s strike over the crossbar.

Peter White came close again at the start of the second half but he dragged his shot wide of the target after Peter Higgins’ cross. The home side had another chance through Paul Quilty after Vinny Sullivan’s cross but Gleeson saved the weak shot.

Any chance of a comeback for the home side was quickly put to bed as Mervue deservedly got their third goal with twenty minutes remaining. David Breen lost possession in the middle of the field, which saw Tom King set away through on goal. He outpaced defender Gavin Kavanagh and reached the ball before the onrushing Blues keeper Craig Hyland before rolling the ball into the empty net.

Gleeson was called into a double save two minutes later as he saved from Quilty again, before getting down to smother Seamus Long’s long range effort.

A good night got even better for Johnny Glynn’s side as they scored a fourth with fifteen minutes to go. Jason Molloy collected the ball on the left wing before heading toward goal and firing an effort at Craig Hyland. The Blues keeper looked to catch the ball but instead let the powerful shot slip through his hands and into the top corner to compound the misery of the home side.

Waterford United: Craig Hyland; Aidan McGrath, Gavin Kavanagh, David Breen, John Frost; Peter Higgins (Paul Quilty 56), Peter White, Conor Coad (Seamus Long 62), Paudie Quinn; Ben Ryan; Daragh Walshe (Vinny Sullivan 53).
Subs not used: Dylan Mernagh, Jason Keane, David Cooley, Robbie Hughes.

Bookings: Sullivan (90+5).

Mervue United: Conor Gleeson; Michael McSweeney, Mike Elwood, Martin Conneely, Paul Sinnott; Tom King (Oscar Sibanda 86), Noel Varley,  Marc Ludden, Gary Curran (Gary Kelly 55); Jason Molloy (Stephen Walsh 76); Brendan Lavelle
Subs not used: Shane Keogh, Dillon Murphy,, Kenny Farrell, Joe Woods.

Bookings: Paul Sinnott (48).

Referee: Rhona Daly (Roscommon).

Attendance: 410

Extratime Man of the Match: Brendan Lavelle (Mervue United).