Amond at the double to sink poor Saints

Waterford 3 St.patrick’s 1

WATERFORD’S deadly duo made it stormy weather in the form of a third successive defeat for the Saints.

Padraig Amond (above) helped himself to a first-half brace – that’s four in four games since the 35-yearold’s move home – and man of the match Maleace Asamoah (inset) grabbed the third at the RSC to make it an unhappy trip to the southeast for Jon Daly’s side.

And Daly will have to address his goalkeeper situation as Marcelo Pitaluga, who is on loan from Liverpool, endured a nightmare first half as the Saints lacked sparkle – perhaps a result of having made a trip to Derry only last Friday.

The worst of the conditions had passed by the time the game started but the visitors struggled in the windy conditions and, in front of a 3,706 crowd, Waterford made an early breakthrough after a rip-roaring start.

On six minutes Barry Baggley’s short corner to Fleetwood loanee Asamoah saw the 21-year-old’s cross take a wicked deflection that looped high towards the penalty spot. Amond reacted quicker than Chris Forrester and headed home.

But despite the home side’s pressure it was the Saints who struck next in the 35th minute. Kavanagh’s low ball wasn’t held by Sam Sargeant and Anto Breslin got the decisive touch.

Waterford, however, restored their advantage before half-time.

Pitaluga and Conor Keeley crashed into each other as they blocked Burke’s attempt and Amond dinked home.

The second half lacked the same intensity – and goal chances – and the crucial moment arrived in the 70th minute when Kieran Freeman was dispossessed by Asamoah just inside the visitors’ half.

The Blues flyer took off before firing a left footed shot beyond Pitaluga.

The nearest St Pat’s came to a lifeline was sub Kian Leavy’s shot that was well saved by Sargeant, while the keeper also denied Liam Turner and Lennon late on.