Amond on the mark as Waterford stun Drogheda

Padraig Amond's first League of Ireland goal in 14 years sealed a first victory back in the Premier Division for Keith Long’s Waterford against a dire Drogheda United.

He added to two goals from Darragh Leahy and one from Niall O’Keeffe to extend the Blues unbeaten run at the start of this season, albeit one in its early stages.

Less than two years after he scored two goals against them in the Louth derby while a Dundalk player, Leahy repeated the trick at Weavers Park. The defender has seven career goals to his name – but two braces against United now.

Kevin Doherty was able to call on the same starting team that lost to Derry last week, with Oisin Gallagher overcoming an ankle injury.

Waterford made just one change to their team on their return to Weavers Park, with Grant Horton replacing Ryan Burke in defence. However, neither of the Blues’ deadline day signings – Harvey MacAdam or Connor Evans were registered in time to feature.

The last time Amond played in the League of Ireland – with Sligo Rovers 14 years ago, six of his 17 goal haul this season came against Drogheda, including three at the Windmill Road venue.

Drogheda’s opener was well worked. Gary Deegan played a pass into Frantz Pierrot, who tried to turn Darragh Leahy. While unsuccessful, Darragh Markey helped the loose ball into the path of Bawa who fired across Sam Sargeant and into the bottom corner.

That lead was short lived. Grant Horton’s skewed a volley well wide of the post but Leahy got his head to it, diverting past a stricken Andrew Wogan.

The turnaround was complete when Niall O’Keeffe side-footed a shot into the far corner from Darragh Power’s pullback. United were far too easily played through and were fortunate not to fall further behind after Wogan