Kamara captures cup win for City

📷 KBD Photos

Cork City were coming off the back of four points from their last two games as they headed into a cup tie at home to Munster rivals Waterford FC. Goals from Matthew Murray and Kaedyn Kamara secured a 2-1 win and a spot in the FAI Cup quarter finals. City came out on top of a very end to end game, but deservedly got the win to advance.

Ger Nash made one change to the side that got a point in the Brandywell, with Alex Nolan dropping out of the squad, being replaced by Matthew Murray. David Odumosu returned to the bench after injury but Conor Brann kept his spot in goal after signing a new long term deal during the week.

John Coleman made one change to his team that drew in Drogheda last time out, with Ronan Mansfield coming in for Andy Boyle.

It was a dream start for the hosts as they took the lead after just two minutes. Kitt Nelson drove deep down the left channel before pulling it back down the line to Evan McLaughlin. Evan whipped a deep cross towards the back post where Matthew Murray was on hand to guide a side footed volley bouncing past Stephen McMullan at his near post. 

Waterford reacted well to the goal and had a spell of decent play, before nearly finding an equaliser after twenty minutes. A short corner routine between James Olayinka and Conan Noonan allowed the latter to try and swing a cross in. HIs cross was deflected towards the edge of the box where Ryan Burke struck a shot on the half volley which forced Conor Brann into an acrobatic save to keep his side’s lead intact.

The visitors’ pressure eventually paid off as they levelled the game two minutes later. A deflected cross from Kyle White looped towards the back post where Padraig Amond managed to get there before Conor Brann and nod the ball back across the six yard box. Tommy Lonergan was waiting two yards out to head the ball into an empty net.

The Blues weren't content with what they had and kept pushing for another and they'd be left to rue a big chance in the twenty fifth minute. A long ball was clipped down the channel aiming for Padraig Amond but Freddie Anderson got there first. Down by the byline, Anderson tried clearing the ball, but was closed down by Amond as the ball broke along the byline for the striker. He pulled it back to an unmarked Tommy Lonergan but the former St Pats striker skied his effort over the bar.

That was all for the first half as a cagey game somehow remained locked at one apiece.

City started the second half the better of the two sides, but should’ve conceded in the fiftieth minute were it not for some defensive heroics by Freddie Anderson. Conan Noonan delivered a brilliant crossfield ball over the right hand side of the City defence to release Kyle White in on goal. White rounded Brann before rolling the ball towards goal, but Anderson came sliding across to superbly clear it off the line.

Waterford put the City defense to work again with half an hour to play. A long kick out from McMullan was flicked on by Amond down the right hand side. Lonergan picked it up and pulled it across the box to Conan Noonan, whose first time shot towards goal was saved by Brann from point-blank range.

City had chances of their own and went agonisingly close to taking the lead in the sixty sixth minute. Evan McLaughlin picked the ball up after a half clearance from Waterford and played it out to Matt Murray on the right hand side. Murray took on Ryan Burke one on one before shifting the ball onto his right foot and unleashing a goalbound shot, but Burke got a toe on it which directed it narrowly wide of the top corner. Despite this, a goal kick was given.

The game was gasping for a goal, and it was the hosts who managed to deliver with nine minutes of normal time to go. Evan McLaughlin delivered an inswinging free kick from deep down the right hand side. Evan’s cross landed towards the front post where it met the head of Kaedyn Kamara who deftly guided his header into the far corner to score his first in a City shirt.

Waterford then chucked the kitchen sink at it for the remaining nine minutes and then a further six minutes of added time, but it was City who came the closest to another goal, with a chance in the eighty seventh minute. Matthew Murray picked up the ball on the left hand side and played it centrally to Kitt Nelson. Nelson found Fitzpatrick on the right hand side, who controlled the ball before cutting in and sending a low powerful effort towards the bottom right corner, but McMullan did really well to get a hand to it and keep it out.

Waterford squandered quite a few shooting opportunities in the final few minutes, but that paired with their inability to create a defense piercing chance in the final moments meant that it was the Leesiders who progressed through to the FAI Cup quarter finals. It was a really strong performance from City as they battled hard all game to win this one. It was end to end all game long with both teams having plenty of chances. I do think City deserved the win as they were far more composed in front of goal and just seemed more assured of themselves whenever they had the ball. This win fuels an already good run that may see the impossible become possible in the run in.

My Man of the Match goes to Matthew Murray. City’s attack were sharp on the night and there was no one more so than Matthew Murray. The young winger created problems down the right hand side for Ryan Burke and was at the heart of the majority of what City did going forward, and even got a goal of his own to show for it.

Ger Nash will look to keep his side’s good form going as they travel to Dalymount park on Friday to face Bohs. As for Waterford, they'll look to get back to winning ways as they host Sligo Rovers.