City doomed to drop after derby day defeat

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It had been a poor few weeks for Cork City as tension continues to grow around the situation the club finds itself in. All could've be forgotten though, were they to capture three points in the RSC as they traveled East to take on Munster rivals Waterford. Coming off of a 3-1 loss to Shels last time out in the league and a 2-1 loss to Celtic in a friendly on Tuesday, City were looking for their first win since April, and their first away win all season.

City boss Ger Nash made six changes from the loss to Shels, with Brann, Anderson, Lyons, Mbeng, Murray and Nolan all dropping out, with Lyons (suspended), Murray and Mbeng missing out completely. Those six were replaced by new signings Odumosu, Feely and Kelleher, as well as Dijksteel, O’Sullivan and McLaughlin.

Waterford made just two changes to the side that lost 7-2 to Derry in the Brandywell, with Brad Wade and James Olayinka dropping to the bench, and Stephen McMullan and Kyle White coming into the side.

City started shakily at the back and gave up an early chance after thirteen minutes. A Conan Noonan corner was lofted towards the penalty spot where an unmarked and oncoming Ryan Burke glanced a header towards the top left corner, but it whistled past the post and the game stayed scoreless.

City notched a chance of their own a minute later thanks to some luck. Cathal O’Sullivan picked up the ball on the right wing and cut into the box where he played a brilliant one-two with Malik Dijksteel. The first pass worked well, but the return pass was poked towards goal by defender Ryan Burke, which forced his keeper to make a quick reaction save to keep it out.

Waterford continued to pressurise a struggling City backline who were trying to play out from the back, and they were made to pay for it after twenty one minutes. David Odumosu played it short to Fiacre Kelleher who fed the ball to Evan McLaughlin in midfield, who was under pressure from Sam Glenfield. Evan took a slightly loose touch across his body which allowed Glenfield to get on his back and nick it away from him. Glenfield advanced towards the edge of the box before guiding the ball into the top left corner to give his side the lead.

City were looking to get back level and some magic from Malik Dijksteel almost did the trick two minutes after the goal. Evan McLaughlin won the ball back in midfield and played it wide to Dijksteel on the left hand side just inside his own half. The Dutchman danced through the Waterford defence and got down the left channel and into the box, before squeezing the ball past McMullan from a tight angle, but the ball also dribbled just past the right hand post.

City’s defensive woes continued as the hosts doubled their lead with thirty six minutes gone. A long ball by McMullan was taken down by Padraig Amond who laid it to Grant Horton out wide. Horton whipped in a pacy cross which was met early by Tommy Lonergan who looped a header into the far left corner to give Waterford a two goal cushion.

City had two huge chances back to back on the stroke of half time to cut their deficit. Matthew Kiernan picked up the ball in his own half and went on a run towards the Waterford backline. Kiernan got to the eighteen yard line before the ball was poked away from him by Grant Horton. The ball fell to Kitt Nelson who fired a shot from distance forcing a good low save from McMullan. The Fleetwood loanee parried the ball however straight into the path of Evan McLaughlin from seven yards out, but Evan managed to send his shot off the top of the crossbar.

That was the last chance before half time as a sloppily poor performance from City, especially at the back, meant they found themselves two goals down at the break.

After deafening boos at half time, City were looking to avenge their first half performance, and gave Waterford their first proper test of the half at the hour mark. Kitt Nelson fed the ball into Cathal O’Sullivan at the right side of the box, swarmed by defenders. Cathal got the ball out of his feet and managed to get a shot away, which forced McMullan into a fingertip save to preserve his side’s two goal lead.

City were noticeably poor from set pieces, with many free kicks and corners being floated right into the hands of McMullan. The visitors did have their best chance of the half though with thirteen minutes to play. Matty Kiernan slipped a brilliant ball through to Charlie Lutz who broke in behind and ran through on goal. Lutz went for the near corner but McMullan got a strong hand on the shot as City were denied again.

The hosts went close to getting a third in the ninety sixth minute. Fiacre Kelleher rolled the ball to Matty Kiernan who took a bad touch and allowed Dean McMenamy who progressed forward on his own, before firing a low shot from distance towards goal that barely whistled past the left hand post.

That would be that as the Munster Derby went Waterford’s way. The full time whistle went and carnage ensued down in the away end. A minor few seemingly drunk Waterford fans threw an object at the City supporters which caused a few away fans to go into the home end and confront them. Once that died down, the players came over and yet more controversy occurred. A few City fans went onto the pitch to approach and reprimand some players and staff, which caused commotion from the City staff who were enraged by this. On the home end situation, going into the home end isn't a good look and probably isn't right but, in my opinion, ultimately the problem stems from Waterford fans goading the away end, and the lack of proper spacing and security between both ends. The lack of proper separation and security in particular meant this was allowed to happen. As for the encroaching the pitch stuff, in my opinion it’s not appropriate. As much as there were no physical threats as far as I'm aware, in my opinion the pitch is for players and staff and fans entering the playing area unwanted isn’t something I think is ok. That being said, we don't know what words were exchanged from both parties so we don't really know the extent of how bad it was. 

As for the game itself, it was about as bad as it could get really from a tactical and competitive point of view. The decision to try and play out from the back with players that are clearly unable to do so is baffling to me. Using a system and trying to fit square pegs into circular holes meant that City were under immense pressure from the word go. Waterford knew exactly what our weaknesses were and pressed us into continuous mistakes at the back. When they didn't win the ball up high, they attacked us in the wide areas with Kyle White and Conan Noonan and once they got down the line they moved it centally and they created plenty of chances doing this. The injury to Greg Bolger after twenty five minutes didn't help either as we seemed to lose any grip that we had in the middle of the park. We did show some bright sparks at times going forward, with Malik Dijksteel in particular causing the hosts some issues, but ultimately Waterford were more than deserving of their win.

My Man of the Match is Waterford’s Kyle White. Could've gone to multiple of the home players but Kyle White on the left wing really stood out to me. He gave Darragh Crowley, who he himself I thought stood out purely for his hard work and effort, a torrid time all night. He created dozens of chances for Waterford and was absolutely integral to their press and scheme to win the ball high and attack fast.

City will return to the Cross on Saturday at 12:30 where they host Leicester Celtic in the second round of the FAI Cup. As for Waterford, they play on the Friday as they host St Mochta’s