Monaghan

[ForzaForth]

Another home defeat but at least a better performance from the Youths as they conceded a goal in the last few minutes to let the Mons have the three points in Ferrycarrig tonight. With Anto given a start at left-back, Noel started with Packie, Shane, Murt, Karl, Anto, Robert, Patsy, Craig, Deano and Dara and Ben up front. Game started quietly enough and after ten, the Mons picked up a yellow for a tackle on Robert just outside the box. However, Ben's curled free went about two yards wide of the post. Wexford's defence, still looking nervous, then coughed up two chances for the Mons when a bad clearance fell to a Mons forward in a central position but his first-time shot went wide of the post. Immediately after, a blocked clearance by a Wexford defender wide right squirted into the Wexford box and again, the first-time shot was put wide. Packie then did well to come out and get to the ball first following a neat one-two inside the Youths box.

[ForzaForth]

After twenty-five, Mons went ahead with a bad mistake by Packie who came out to the edge of the box to challenge for the ball but didn't make it against a Mons attacker whose cross-header weas volleyed home neatly by Quinn with Packie way out of position. Mons then attacked again and Packie did well to push a shot over the bar. This was followed by another easier save by Packie from another shot. Wexford managed to apply some pressure towards the end of the half but nothing came of it and the Youths still in the game at one-nil down at half-time. Just before the blow, Tierney came on for the Mons instead of Marks who may have tweaked the hammer.

[ForzaForth]

Second-half began with two further early subs for the Mons with Philip Byrne and Isichei coming on. Wexford started brighter and Robert won another free-kick just outside the box after another good run and another yellow for the Mons. After eighteen, Mons were unlucky not to go two ahead when a neat chip beat Packie, hit the underside of the cross-bar and stayed out. Tom Elmes then came on for Dara who had a quiet game up front for the Youths. Wexford then applied some more pressure and got their peno. when Craig bustled into the box and was impeded and went down. Not a huge amount of contact but Deano put the spot-kick away to Sava's right for the equaliser.

[ForzaForth]

Isichei immediately had a reasonable effort but put it wide while Wexford had two chances when Robert had another run and shot which was saved easily by Sava and Tom Elmes glanced a header over. With fifteen to go, Patsy picked up a yellow and Greg Yelverton came on for Robert who got a kick but no free and limped off. With a few minutes to go and a draw looking likely, the Mons impressive right-back, who had been making hay all night down the right, stuck another cross over to find Isichei free beyond the far post and a simple enough volley put the Mons ahead two-one. Wexford managed two corners in the final few minutes and one dangerous cross which Sava had to dive to punch clear to leave it two-one to the Mons at full-time.

[ForzaForth]

Best for Wexford by far was Robert Vickers who posed a real threat out wide and looked a handful when having the ball at his feet. However, the movement and anticipation from anyone in the box still looks limited from the Youths. Shane did well at right-back and Ben linked up with well with Robert in the second-half to provide the Youths with some threat with the ball on the ground. Brennan looked the best midfielder on the pitch for the Mons with the right-back also doing well coming forward. Two-one to the Mons at full-time but only about 120 at the match.

[Youths4Ever]

Have to agree Robert did very well but if one thing he needs to learn to do is get his head up a bit quicker but it may come with time it was only his second game back. Shane did well at right back again and Deano looked much more at home in left mid rather than left back. I don't know what the management team see in Darragh as I just dont get it his movement is not great he does not win headers and surely Elmes deserves a start.