Hat-trick for sub Akachukwu sees Waterford into play-off final

SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division playoff

Waterford FC 3 (Romeo Akachukwu ’64, 78, 90+4)

Athlone Town 1 (Frantz Pierrot pen '71)

Romeo Akachukwu was sprung from the bench by Waterford FC Head Coach just past the hour mark of their SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division playoff second-leg and the Republic of Ireland Under 18 International scored an incredible hat-trick as the Blues got the better of Athlone Town at a rain lashed RSC.

After a scoreless first-half where both sides had half chances, it was Akachukwu that was the hero of the game for the home side as his brilliant treble sent the home faithful in the strong 2237 crowd home signing in the rain.

Roland Idowu went close to putting the hosts in front on 32 minutes when some good build-up play involving Rowan McDonald and Barry Baggley saw the latter turn provider for the winger, but his well-struck left-footed strike from 25 yards whistled inches wide of the right-hand post.

Blues keeper Sam Sargeant was called into action to make a smart double save two minutes later. Giles Phillips was penalised for a foul on Frantz Pierrot that resulted in a caution for the skipper, and after Pierrot’s free-kick was parried away, the netminder also got a strong hand on the close-range rebound from Noah van Geenen.

The hosts got their noses in front on 64 minutes when Coughlan picked up possession out on the left before skipping past three players when cutting into the area, and he pulled the ball back for the substitute Romeo Akachukwu, who was only on the field three minutes, hammered home from six yards.

Athlone were level from the penalty spot seven minutes later when centre back Derik Osede pulled back Pierrot, and referee Gavin Colfer pointed to the spot where Pierrot