ForzaForth
18/01/2020, 3:24 PM
Reasonable pre-season work-out for both teams but contest ruined by a straight and probably deserved red card given to Wexford’s Craig Giles early on in the second half which allowed Waterford to coast to the finish. Wexford started with Feeney, Carroll, Tobin, Costello, Giles, English, Crowley, Fitzsimons, Kavanagh, Amour Jr., and with Sean Roche up front. First thing that was noticeable about Waterford is that they’re a big imposing side and they started with two big lads up front and with Graham Cummins playing as a centre-half. Like last week, Wexford’s midfield of three looked composed on the ball and were well able to play out of trouble. Wexford had a good chance early on when ref. Sean Grant called a harsh back-pass against Tadhg Ryan, and Ryan did well to push away a fierce drive by Wexford’s Karl Fitzsimons which was on target. Wexford kept Waterford at bay for much of this half although Colum Feeney in the Wexford goal had to be alert to push away one-handed a flick towards goal by Kevin O’Connor of Waterford and just before the half-hour, Feeney pushed another shot away for a Waterford corner. Waterford’s first goal came on 32 minutes and it was a smashing strike from thirty yards out by Sam Bone, who pulled the ball inside onto his left and hit an unstoppable low shot into the bottom corner to give Feeney no chance. Waterford finished the half strongly with Michael O’Connor impressive and nearly went two goals up when a shot from a very tight angle hit the Wexford post and stayed out. 1-0 to Waterford at half-time.