Drogheda

[ForzaForth]

For anyone interested, it's planned to have audio commentary on tonight's match at the usual link (kick-off 7.45pm).

www.mixlr.com/wexfordyouths

[ForzaForth]

Not over yet, of course, but it's advantage Wexford as a late Lee Chin special gave Wexford a two-goal cushion to bring to United Park on Friday and it was a scoreline which slightly flattered the home side. With Shane Keegan still not prepared to risk Gary Delaney, Wexford started as expected with Graham, Craig, Lee Grace, Hopper, Andy, Speedy, Lee Chin, Jonny, Roxy and with Spot and Danny up front. For whatever reason, Wexford were extraordinarily slow out of the blocks and their goal led a charmed life during the first half-hour or so with Drogheda's Adam Wixted looking very threatening down Wexford's left wing. On six minutes, a Drog's effort on target was blocked by a diving Wexford defender. On nine minutes, Drog's Griffin pulled his shot wide when he turned in the Youth's box. A minute later, a low Drogheda shot from 25 yards out hit the post and away with Graham Doyle struggling. On the quarter hour, Drogs hit the post again with a stooping header from a corner. Roxy Keenan had the Youth's first effort on goal on 17 minutes but it was blocked away for a corner. With 37 minutes gone, Danny Furlong had his first sighter on goal but it was also blocked away for a corner. Graham Doyle then was called into action on three occasions, when he had to firstly smother a Thornton effort on goal from wide left, and then had to come out twice to gather smartly to prevent Drogheda attackers from getting a crucial touch. However, Roxy Keenan had a great chance with a minute to go in the half when he steered a cross wide from very close in to the Drogheda goal with McGuinness, the Drogheda netminder, beaten. 0-0 at half-time and the Youths needed to raise their game considerably in the second half.

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Happily for the home side, Youths improved considerably in the second period and, as the game went on, Drogheda faded more and more perhaps due to their two onerous games against Cobh. On five minutes, Spot Murphy had an attempt at a volley over his shoulder from close in, but miscued. On 13 minutes, Jonny Bonner tried to chip McGuinness in the Drogheda goal but it proved an easy catch for the latter. Lee Chin then did some great work down the right wing for Wexford but nobody could get onto his low cross. Drogheda's first effort on goal came on 20 minutes, but Graham Doyle was able to push the goal-bound volley away. A minute later, a neat one-two between Danny Furlong and Spot Murphy put Danny away and he volleyed unstoppably past McGuinness to put the Youths one up. The Drogheda centre-half was lying injured on the ground at this stage so there were unsuccessful protests from the away side. Wexford continued to apply the pressure with Spot Murphy going close on two occasions. Aidan Friel then came on for Speedy Whittle with eight minutes to go. With five to go, Danny Furlong's volley was blocked on the Drogheda goal-line and it looked as if Wexford's advantage would be only one goal. However, right on the 90 minutes, a Craig McCabe long throw was only partially cleared by the Drogheda defence and Lee Chin acrobatically volleyed it home from sixteen yards out to give the Youths a two-goal advantage. Wexford's Shane Dunne was a very late substitute as Youths ran out 2-0 winners.

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Best for Wexford was Lee Grace at the back who tidied up everything that came his way in the middle of the back four with good assistance from Hopper Kenny. Goals are the lifeblood of Danny Furlong and, up front, he looked back to his dangerous best. Wexford need to put two good halves together on Friday, however, if they are to maintain their Premier Division place. Maybe, 750 at the match.