First Division wrap: Free-scoring Waterford see off Cobh

Cobh Ramblers 1-3 Waterford FC

Keith Long and his free-scoring Waterford march on after seeing off Cobh Ramblers 3-1 at St Colman's Park, a game that was wrapped up inside the opening 10 minutes with goals from Roland Idowu and Ronan Coughlan.

Jack Doherty knocked in a penalty with just over an hour played and any hope of a comeback was undone by Shane Griffin’s late goal.

It follows last week’s emphatic 7-1 victory over Finn Harps at the RSC and marks the first time all season that Waterford have won back-to-back league games.

It also brings an end to Cobh’s three game unbeaten run.

All of this combined to create ideal conditions for a tense evening between two teams that are separated by just an hour’s drive.

Cobh wasted no time and a low shot from Tiernan O’Brien was stopped with a routine save from Paul Martin. Wilson Waweru also closed down the Waterford goalkeeper and picked off a kick out, but he knocked it out of touch as he tried to control.

Then Waterford won a free-kick and Shane Griffin sent it to Giles Philips, who set up Tunmise Sobowale. A pass was played that split the Cobh defence and Coughlan broke this down to Idowu, who rolled the ball in.

The Blues stole the ball from the restart and sent it to Griffin on the right wing. A low cross from the midfielder found Coughlan at the far post and he tapped in.

Cobh were bullish when things restarted and Jack Doherty immediately took a ball down and forced a low save from Martin.

The Waterford goalkeeper spilled and the follow-up from Doherty hit the crossbar. It was a frustrating moment for the sizable home support, and one they had to endure all over again when James O’Leary hit the upright from the edge of the area.

Waweru thought he did enough to pull one back when