Footballers' Waterford victory makes it two from two
Footballers' Waterford victory makes it two from two
February 07, 2022
Two from two
Allianz National Football League, Roinn 4
London 1-12
Waterford 2-8
By Conor Martin
A spirited performance from Michael Maher’s men meant London made it two wins from two on Sunday afternoon as they beat Waterford 1-12 to 2-8 in Ruislip.
London, spurred on by their remarkable comeback against Carlow on the opening day of the league season started the brightest out of the two sides.
The Londoners open the scoring through Conal Gallagher and moments later we extended the lead out to four points when Killian Butler converted a penalty in the opening stages.
Waterford finally got on the scoresheet after 15 minutes. Darragh Corcoran and Dermot Ryan found the posts for their side after Waterford registered wide after wide as they struggled with the strong wind blowing around McGovern Park.
Waterford then picked up some momentum once they had got their opening scores and then took the game to London. The visitors then took charge of the game when they got two quick goals through Stephen Curry and David Hallahan found the London net.
There was a hint of fortune with Waterford’s second goal effort as the conditions played a part as London keeper Noel Maher was deceived by the flight of the ball caused by the strong wind that Waterford were using to their advantage after initially struggling with the conditions and the ball crept in under the crossbar.
It was a physical affair and at the break, the scoreboard read 2-5 to 1-3 in favour of Waterford. London were five down at the break, although the gap between the two sides at half-time was harsh on London who had been the better team for most of the first half.
However, London weren't giving up and despite Waterford grabbing the first point of the second half Maher’s men didn’t panic and looked calm and composed as we gradually got back into the game.
The vocal home support helped London kick back into gear, our tails were up once more and there was no looking back as we took control of the match.
Substitutes Fearghal McMahon and James Gallagher got on the scoresheet, whilst Chris Farley who scored 0-7 from frees alone and scored the equalising point.
Gallagher then put London ahead and the sizeable crowd went wild as London completed another comeback and edged towards victory.
Aaron Jones who came off the bench for Waterford kept his sides score ticking over. But the London backline were superb and turned the ball over on a number of occasions towards the climax.
There were fine performances all over the pitch on Sunday afternoon but our backline were as important as our midfield and our forward line. They restricted Waterford to just three second half points as we hassled the Waterford attack and ensured Waterford didn’t leave West London
with anything to show for their efforts.
In the closing moments of the match Farley once again did the business from two frees to wrap up a second deserved win of the season for London.
The second win of the season means we sit in third after the first two rounds of league action. Michael Maher’s men travel to Leitrim after this weekend’s break as we look to continue our good form.
London return home to Ruislip the week after as we welcome Wexford to McGovern Park at the
end of the month.
Scorers: London - Conal Gallagher, Killian Butler, 1-0, Chris Farley 0-7 (0-7f), James Gallagher 0-3, Fearghal McMahon 0-1
London: Noel Maher; Conor O’Neill, Matt Moynihan, Nathan McElwaine, Ronan Sloane, Eoin Walsh, Eoin Flanagan, Chris Farley, Stephen Dornan, Liam Gallagher, Conal Gallagher, Evan Wynne, Enda McCormick, Liam Gavaghan, Killian Butler
Subs: Fearghal McMahon for Conor O’Neill, James Gallagher for Killian Butler, Matthew Walsh for Conal Gallagher, James Hynes for Stephen Dornan, Bobby O’Regan for Enda McCormick
Scorers: Waterford - Darragh Corcoran, 0-2 (0-1 free), Dermot Ryan, 0-2 (0-1 free), Tom O’Connell 0-2, Michael Curry 0-1, Stephen Curry 1-0, David Hallihan 1-0, Aaron Jones 0-1 (0-1 free)
Waterford: Ben Kirwan; Darach Ó Cathasaigh, Brian Looby, Sean Boyce, Jack Flavin, Conor Walsh, Dermot Ryan, Liam Fennell, Michael Curry, Conor Murray, David Hallahan, Stephen Curry, Dylan Guiry, Tom O’Connell, Darragh Corcoran Subs: Aaron Jones for Sean Boyce, Craig Burke for Jack Flavin, James Walsh for David Hallahan, Rian Reddy for Brian Lynch, Gareth Duffy for Stephen Curry
Referee: Conor Dourneen (Cavan)