Waterford lost 2-1 to Bohemians in Dublin on Friday night, a result that leaves them ninth in the Premier Division table with 34 points from 33 games, having recorded seven wins, thirteen draws and thirteen losses. A missed penalty from top scorer Tom Lonergan proved the decisive moment after Padraig Amond had cancelled out an early Bohemians opener.
Sam Todd put the hosts ahead in the 12th minute, finishing from a Jordan Flores assist. Waterford responded well and drew level before half-time through Amond, who converted a pass from Bernardo Piexoto Couto in the 38th minute. The visitors had a golden chance to take the lead early in the second half when they were awarded a penalty, but Lonergan’s effort from the spot in the 49th minute failed to find the net. The forward remains the club's top scorer this season with nine goals in 35 appearances.
Bohemians made them pay for that miss. Ryan Burke restored their lead in the 64th minute, assisted by Sadou Diallo, and they managed the game effectively from there. Waterford made a triple substitution in the 79th minute, introducing Jørgen Voilås, Evan McLaughlin and Dean Mcmenamy, but could not find a second equaliser.
Their recent form now reads one win, two draws and two losses from their last five outings, a sequence that includes a 2-0 win over Bohemians on October 9, a 3-2 loss to Shamrock Rovers, and draws with Derry City and Dundalk. Lonergan, who leads the team with nine goals this season, will be keen to make amends quickly. The defeat leaves the side 31 points behind league leaders Shamrock Rovers in the title race, having scored 45 goals and conceded 56 this campaign.
They host Galway United, who are sixth in the table, at the Waterford Regional Sports Centre this Monday, October 19, with kick-off at 19:45. That fixture is part of a busy fixtures schedule as the season enters its final phase. The teams played out a goalless draw in their last meeting in July.
