Longford

[ForzaForth]

Encouraging first-half performance from the Youths tonight but a less effective one in the second meant that Longford deservedly came away with the three points from the Strokestown Road tonight. Wexford, a bit surprisingly, started with the same XI as against SD Galway with Graham, a back four of Clarkey, Brian, Jamie and Corkey, Glenn playing in front of a midfield four of Joey, Patsy, Crokey and Rocks and with Danny up front on his own. First half was pretty even and maybe even slightly shaded by the Youths. First fifteen was uneventful, but at that point, Glenn was put through but had to switch it to his left and he pulled his shot wide. A minute later, Danny got a volley away but Hyland was able to save comfortably. Best chance of the half for the Youths came after 26, when Rocks had a clear volley to hit in space just to the left of the goal and about fifteen out, but he shot over. Only decent Longford chance of the first-half came on the half-hour when a Longford player found himself free to the left of the post about ten out, but Graham was able to block it with his feet and knock it away. With twelve to go, a Longford attack down the right ended with a shot a couple of yards wide. Half ended nil-nil but with Wexford having a decent amount of possession with Glenn and Patsy pulling the strings in midfield and the out ball being the diagonal in the air to Rocks who was beating Salmon with every header on his side of the pitch.

[ForzaForth]

Second-half started with CJ coming on for Brian at centre-half who had limped down the tunnel at the break. Whether due to substitution on the Wexford side or Longford lfting it up a gear, the Youths never got going in the early part of the second period and this ultimately changed the game in the home side's favour. After two, a cross from the right by Longford ended up with two free headers for the home side, the second being Bermo's clinical finish to the top right corner. On five, Graham had to push a decent Longford effort round the post for a corner. A minute later, Bermo headed another free chance just over the bar and this was followed by another Longford shot which went just wide. After ten, the Youth's only half-chance of the second occurred when Hyland miscued a clearance on his weaker left side and then had to head it clear to prevent Danny latching onto it. With twenty gone, another Longford header was tipped over by Graham. On the twenty-five minute mark, Longford made the game safe when a corner was half-cleared by the Youths and then headed back in into the danger zone where Crawley was able to gain control and steer it home for 2-0 to the home side. Youths probably should have been able to get in a tackle to prevent this one going in. On the half-hour, a Longford goal was ruled out for offside and Deano came on for Patsy and went into centre midfield. Wexford never really threatened after this and lost their shape a bit as too many positional switches had their effect. Late subs. were Eric for a tiring Glenn with about seven minutes to go and Skelly for Bermo up front for Longford.

[ForzaForth]

Decent effort from the Youths in the first period when Glenn, Clarkey, Brian and Jamie played well with Rocks, as usual, doing his stuff in the air but not so good in the second when they coughed up too many chances. 2-0 to the home side at full-time.

[Acornvilla]

That black kid that you lads had with ye at the game was hilarious, at half time he stood behind the goals demanding the youths subs pass to him, he even offered one of the players 50 euro for a pass at one point. The highlight was him calling over a player to pick a euro up off the pitch for him after he had thrown it at someone else, then only to tell yer man he can keep it. He wasn't trying to be bold, just kids being kids but I found it all very amusing.

The game itself was awful in the first half, perhaps why I enjoyed the half time entertainment so much. Yer crowd of young fellas were fairly vocal throughout :D

[ForzaForth]

Acornvilla

I'm not sure who that group of youngsters were as I was down at the other end of the stand. I had assumed they were from Longford and were attracted to the incessant drumming of our "ultras";)

[Bosco]

Them young lads were a team from Kildare apparently and came to the game as they were down in Longford for a blitz....not sure who's idea it was for them to come along but its good to see..

[Martinho II]

it kind of makes sense all right as youths normally never bring a vocal crowd to flancare!!it was unusual to say the least!!it put us to shame for most of the first half!

[ForzaForth]

Thanks Bosco and Martinho. That clears it up about the origin of the youngsters.