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Waterford FC continued good recent form with a 2-0 win away to St Patrick’s Athletic last Friday night.

Michael O’Connor struck either side of half time to ensure another three points for the Blues to pick up another win from the capital.

The Blues nearly got off to the perfect start inside the opening 25 seconds when Walter Figueira picked up the ball on the left-side of the penalty area but after superbly getting past two challenges, his right-footed shot from 16 yards flew inches over Barry Murphy’s crossbar.

Zack Elbouzedi forced the keeper into an excellent save after four minutes when the he got on the end of Kevin Lynch’s left-wing cross at the back post; his well-struck left-footed shot was turned around the posts by Murphy.

The Blues were awarded a penalty by Latvian referee Edgar Malcevs from the resulting corner kick when Rob Slevin was brought down by defender Ciaran Kelly. Michael O’Connor assumed responsibility from 12 yards and he sent Barry Murphy the wrong way to give the Blues a 1-0 lead

O’Connor had a goalbound effort blocked by a defender before Lee Desmond cleared Kevin Lynch’s effort off the line after good work from JJ Lunney.

Barry Murphy kept St Pats in the game when he made a great save as the first half entered injury time. Tom Holland spotted the run of JJ Lunney and his 25-yard strike looked set to find the net but the keeper produced a great save.

Jake Walker had the first chance of the second half when Conor Clifford intercepted Tom Holland before setting up Walker but Matthew Connor saved.

Alan Reynolds’ side almost extended the lead midway through the second half when JJ Lunney fed Shane Duggan who spotted the run of Sam Bone out on the right. After bringing the ball onto his left-foot, his strike was inches wide.

Walter Figueira almost took full advantage of a mistake in the St Pat’s defence minutes later when the striker took possession of a loose ball outside the penalty area, but his chip of the advancing keeper was just over the crossbar.

The Blues could have sealed with a second goal with 13 minutes remaining when Michael O’Connor played a pass from inside his own half to release Zack Elbouzedi before continuing his run and after Elbouzedi played in the attacker, he couldn’t find the target.

But O’Connor made amends when he doubled the lead and sealed the points with a brilliant header four minutes later. Kevin Lynch played the quick free kick to Shane Duggan, who found Sam Bone out on the right and his pin-point cross found the head of O’Connor to power the ball past Barry Murphy.

Matthew Connor made sure of another clean sheet at Richmond Park this season when he produced a stunning injury-time save with a full-length stop to tip a terrific effort from Ronan Hale as the Blues celebrated another super win on the road.

St Patrick’s Athletic: Barry Murphy, Dean Clarke, Ciaran Kelly, Lee Desmond, Ian Bermingham, Jamie Lennon (Ronan Hale 72), Conor Clifford, Cian Coleman (Glen McAuley 46), Chris Forrester, Darragh Markey, Mikey Drennan (Jake Walker 46)

Waterford FC: Matthew Connor, Sam Bone, Maxi Kouogun, Rob Slevin, Kevin Lynch, Tom Holland, Shane Duggan, JJ Lunney, Zack Elbouzedi, Michael O’Connor (Dean Walsh 90), Walter Figueira (Dean O’Halloran 89)

Referee: Edgar Malcevs (Latvia)

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