We're Gonna Win 2-1!

Best away trip since we left the Premier!

Good travelling crowd, fantastic atmosphere, and a combeack win against our table and local rivals! Some fantastic performances (Morrissey) coupled with some more poor ones (Davin and Greg) but we got the win, and we're top of the table! We left for what's probably the closest away trip of the season at about half four, but it wasn't until five we had cleared the traffic at Cork's biggest traffic jam (Mahon Point + the Jack Lynch Tunnell) and were on our way to Munster's smallest city (Just thought I'd get that dig in there) A short stop in Dungarvan, and an hour and a half later we reached the RSC.

Having escaped the frisking I endured last season I made my way inside the ground, and felt suitably dressed in my shorts as the early April sun was starting to set over the 'sunny South-East'. I, along with about 300 fellow City fans geared ourselves up for City's third match against promotion rivals in four, and warmed up our vocal chords as the teams came out. A loss would've seen the side possibly drop to 6th, while a win could see us go top, albeit temporarily. While the stand opposite that housed the home contingent was barely half empty. Needless to say our compempt was left to be known. The game started slowly, neither side wanting to give anything away early, and chances were limited to a few speculative free-kicks.

But City lost Derek O'Brien early in the game again, with what seemed to be a re-occurance of his hamstring injury that's plagued his time here so far. Despite the lack of on-the-pitch action, the City end was rocking, not a moment of silence from the best fans in the division by a long long way. Both sides swapped chances, but the majority of the opening 30 minutes saw posession spurned on a pitch that hand more ruts than a country road.

The City fans were temporarily silenced five minutes from the half though, when Paul Murphy's free-kick from outside the box took a deflection off a City wall that split badly, and flew into a stranded McNulty's right hand corner. The 20 or so Waterford 'Ultras' in the corner reminded us they still existed with a bit of jumping and a hyperactive drummer. 'We're gonna win 2-1' we sung out, and they went back to being quiet.

And they were even quieter than usual just before the half, when once again Tommy Dunne's men showed their resiliance by killing a half-time lead United thought they had. Cummins played a perfect through ball to Greg, and he scored one of his best goals by smashing an unstoppable drive underneath Kevin Burns' helpless right arm. 'We're gonna win 2-1'

Half time.

City held onto the late momentum and started the second half the better. Kalen Spillane headed wide, followed by an impressive Gearóid Morrissey who shot his free-kick just to the right of the Waterford upright. But the Blues regained the upperhand after, and were very unlucky not to regain the lead, Willie John Kiely's shot smashing off the underside of the crossbar with McNulty (Donned in purple this time) well beaten. Cross after cross rained into the City box, and Gavin Kavanagh's woeful backpass almost saw Murphy double his tally, but McNulty was alert to the danger and smothered the Wexford native's attempted flick.

This time it was City's time to score against the run of play. Some clever work by Davin O'Neill (Probably the only time he didn't lose the ball or pass it backwards) down the left hand side saw the ball at Greg's feet, and he slid in an excellent ball for Shane Duggan to smash into the net, capping off what was probably the game's best move. 'We know you don't believe us, we're gonna win 2-1!'

Waterford huffed and puffed to get the equaliser, and had a number of spurned corners. But City held on, and recorded a huge win before what could be considered an easy run of games. The next big obstacle for the Rebel Army is Shelbourne away in the last game of the first series, and if they can beat the Dubs they should have gone the entire first series without losing a game. Still though, there's plenty to improve on. Morrissey is badly wasted out on the right, while Davin hasn't put down a good compepetitive game in a City jersey since the opening day of the 2010 season. Greg is playing poorly (Despite two game changing moments) and we still have this horrible habit of trying to ping 40 yard through balls, that either go out for goal kicks or get mopped up by the keeper.

Having said that, we've managed to take seven points from nine of title rivals so far and are still nowhere near hitting our full stride. We should get promoted at a canter if we can really click. Next week City host Finn Harps in a game we should really be winning if we want to be playing Premier football in 2012.

Until then,
Arrividerci!
Kev