Maleace Asamoah nets hat-trick as Waterford trash Dundalk

A hat-trick from Maleace Asamoah and another from Christie Pattison ensured a third win in seven days for Waterford against Dundalk at the RSC, as the newly-promoted side moved up to fourth in the Premier Division table.

Not since the summer of 2021 have the Blues had three wins on the spin in the top flight but Keith Long's team are the form side in the division right now with this result coming on the back of a 1-0 win away to Sligo Rovers last Friday and a 3-1 win over champions Shamrock Rovers four days earlier.

While Waterford had the best away record in the league coming into this game, their home record was the worst in the division with just five points taken at the RSC prior to this and just one victory against St Patrick’s Athletic at the start of March.

They proved much too strong in the end for a beleaguered Dundalk side who have now slipped six points adrift of their neighbours Drogheda United at the foot of the table.

Noel King’s side found Asamoah unplayable with the 21-year-old’s second goal on 44 minutes proving crucial in turning the game after Robbie Benson had brought the visitors level in a period in which they were well on top.

Confidence is low amongst the Co Louth side at present, however, and question marks remain over the extent of King’s role with Brian Gartland and Liam Burns once again the most active on the touchline.

While Dundalk struggle, Waterford are on the up and they now sit just three points behind Shamrock Rovers in third and six points behind Shelbourne at the summit with a game in hand over both sides.

The Blues got off to a flyer when they hit the front with their first attack after just 97 seconds. Asamoah won the kick-out from goalkeeper Ross Munro, back in the side following George