Bohemians 2 Waterford Utd 1: Having put their European exit behind them, Bohemians turned their hand to league affairs for the first time in a month last night and delivered another setback to Waterford United.
The home side restricted Waterford to feed off scraps. The visitor's lack of confidence going forward was exposed as Bohemians sauntered to their fifth successive league win.
Waterford suffered a setback in the eighth minute when goalkeeper Packie Holden brought Mark O'Brien down in the box. Striker Dominic Foley drilled the ball home from the penalty spot.
Bohemians dominated midfield and Waterford were exposed at the back whenever Foley and Tony Grant found space.
Grant's header went close in the 22nd minute and Waterford's Paul Crowley glanced a header wide in the 29th minute.
Bohemians almost doubled their lead two minutes into the second half. Defender Ken Oman, unmarked in the box, thumped Fergal Harkin's corner off Holden's far post but Waterford worked the ball to safety.
Although Colm Heffernan forced Matt Gregg into a smart 61st-minute save, Waterford didn't see enough of the ball to establish a rhythm.
Stephen Ward secured Bohemians full points in the 80th minute when he fired low past Holden.
Waterford ensured a tense finish when substitute Niall Andrews bundled the ball home with eight minutes remaining.
BOHEMIANS: Gregg; Rice, Oman, Byrne, Keddy; Harkin, Farrelly, O'Brien, Ward; Grant, Foley. Booked: Keddy (35 mins), Rice (81 mins).
WATERFORD UNITED: Holden; Brown, Mulcahy, Breen, Frost; Yelverton, Grant, Crowley (Finn 85 mins), Heffernan; Doyle (Andrews 77 mins), Waters (Kavanagh 61 mins).
Referee: J Feighery (Dublin)
