Joseph Anang and St Patrick's Athletic were eliminated from the FAI Cup at the round of 32 stage after a 3-2 home defeat to Waterford.
The on-loan Hammers goalkeeper was the hero when St Pat’s progressed through the UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) second qualifying round by beating Mura on penalties in Slovenia, but he and his colleagues fell at Richmond Park on Sunday to the League of Ireland First Division promotion-chasers.
All five goals were scored in the first half in a pulsating encounter. After Joe Redmond went close for St Pat’s, seeing a header rebound off the woodwork, it was Waterford who took the lead as Wassim Aouachria slotted home on 13 minutes.
It would take St Pat’s only five minutes to level as Mark Doyle was fouled in the penalty area. A spot-kick was given and Ronan Coughlan made no mistake from 12 yards.
The home side took the lead not long after Tom Grivosti climbed highest to head in at the back post, but Waterford levelled on 33 minutes when Aouchria scored his second, capitalising on an error in the St Pat’s defence.
The fifth, and ultimately winning goal, came on 42 minutes when Junior Quitirina curled past Anang with an excellent strike.
St Pat’s pushed hard for an equaliser throughout the second half but ultimately could not find the goal they needed, with Waterford – managed by former Hammers Academy coach Danny Searle – reaching the round of 16.
The Irish side will hope for better when they travel to Bulgaria to take on CSKA-Sofia for a UECL third qualifying round first-leg tie this Thursday evening.
