Drogheda

[ForzaForth]

Huge issues for manager Damian Locke tonight after a Wexford performance that was so poor it had to be seen to be believed. Wexford started with a 3-5-2 with Danny Bolger in goal, a back three of Owen McCormack, Hopper Kenny and Ross Kenny, a midfield five of Dean Kelly, Mikey Byrne, Thomas Croke, Mark Slater and Sean Hurley and with Aaron Dobbs and Shane Barnes up front. With thirteen minutes gone, Wexford were already three goals down and two defenders had picked up yellow cards as the pacey Drogheda attackers were able to get at a stranded Wexford back three at will. It started on three minutes when Drogheda’s Sean Brennan curled a nice free kick over the wall and into the top left handcorner to give Bolger no chance for 1-0 to Drogheda. On eight minutes, Lee Duffy was given far too much space in the Wexford box to allow him to turn and shoot and although Bolger got a hand to it, he was unable to keep it out for 2-0. Mark Slater then got a yellow for a pull-back with Owen McCormack having got another card earlier. From the free kick, Bolger was drawn to the “wall” side of the goal to leave Brennan the easiest of tasks to plant it into the other side for 3-0. On eighteen minutes, Wexford looked to have a chance to get back into the game when they were awarded a peno, but Hopper Kenny’s spot-kick was always going to be saved by Skinner if he went the right way and he did and did. Game was over at that stage, but Wexford’s poor defending continued as their left winger turned inside his Wexford marker and slotted so easily home for 4-0. On 25 minutes, Wexford’s Owen McCormack gave away a peno which could also have been a second yellow and it was 5-0. Ross Kenny was very lucky to then get only a yellow for a poor tackle on Drogheda’s Gallagher. Danny Bolger next pushed away another Drogheda effort on goal for a corner before Dean Kelly drilled a low shot past Skinner to leave it 5-1 to Drogheda at the break and with Wexford in total disarray.

[ForzaForth]

Early in the second half, Drogheda’s Sean Brennan was stretchered off after what looked like an innocuous challenge and was replaced by Rossiter. However, Wexford’s shocking defending continued as Hyland was let run unopposed to the penalty area and his low shot gave Bolger no chance for 6-1. More awful defending followed as a low cross was tucked home by an unmarked Lee Duffy at the far post for 7-1 to Drogheda. A suicidal back pass by Wexford then allowed Hyland to round Bolger in the Wexford goal and it was 8-1. Although Danny Bolger hadn’t done much wrong, he was then replaced in the Wexford goal by substitute keeper Kealan Gaffney who did pull off a few saves during the remainder of the match so you would expect him to start against UCD. Two more yellows followed for Wexford before the referee flashed astraight red to Drogheda’s Lee Duffy for what looked like a nothing foul so it may have been for dissent. So, 8-1 at full-time with a Wexford performance that was absolutely dire and looked so much off the pace compared to Drogheda. Very much back to the drawing board for Damian Locke and nothing like a similar performance against UCD on Monday night will be acceptable. About 260 at the game.