Longford

Excellent game in Ferrycarrig tonight which finished with a point apiece although Wexford will be disappointed that they weren't further ahead at half-time after a strong first 45. With CJ injured and Patsy suspended, Youths kept their 4-1-4-1 shape with Graham in goal, Brian Nolan in front of a back four of Clarkey, Jamie, Scally and Corkey, a midfield of Joey, Craig, Eric and Rocks and Danny up front on his own. Wexford started like a train and after two, Joey was put through and tackled by Hyland for a yellow which wouldn't have been a surprise if it had been a red. From the free-kick, Hyland had to tip over Jamie's header for a corner. From that corner, Rocks got his head to the ball to win a third corner. This corner found Rocks about eight out but his stabbed shot was blocked away on the goal-line by a Longford defender and went clear. After twelve, Longford got their first shot on target from Griffiths but Graham held it confortable. After twenty, Lee went off for Longford looking groggy after a bang on hs head and was replaced by Purdy. Four minutes later, Brian Nolan ran thirty yards from halfway straight into the Longford box and was dragged back for a peno. and a yellow for a Longford defender. Danny put it low right with Hyland going the wrong way for 1-0 to the Youths.

With ten to go in the half, Danny was almost set up again by Joey but a last-ditch tackle blocked his effort. Joey then let go a stunner himself with his left peg from twenty out which Hyland blocked with his shoulder. Right at the end of the half, Rocks picked up a yellow for a tackle and then, in injury time, Longford had their only decent chance when an almost free header was steered badly wide by a Longford player in the box. The half finished with Joey setting himself up again but he miscued his shot from eighteen out straight into Hyland's hands. 1-0 to the home side at half-time and Youths unlucky not to be further ahead with Joey, in particular, creating havoc down his right-wing.

Bermo came on for Salmon for Longford at half-time. After five, Kirby got a yellow for a tackle on Joey which seemed innocuous enough. However, after fifteen, game changed in the away team's favour when, firstly, Purdy curled an excellent free-kick over the Youths wall from 25 out which Graham could only get a hand to to level it up 1-1. From the kick-off, Rocks got a second yellow for a rash tackle on Gillespie and Youths down to ten men. Longford now had more time for their passing game and Bermo also made a difference wide left. After tenty minutes, Bermo had a shot deflected for a corner and then Longford's James also got a yellow for a tackle on Eric. However, Eric then had an excellent chance for the Youths when a good pass found Joey wide right and his first-time cross found Eric free at the far post but he couldn't get his diving header on target.

With fifteen to go, Longford had a free header inside the box but it bounced up tamely into Graham's arms. Duffy then came on for Griffiths for Longford and Brian got a yellow for a push on Gillespie and Craig a yellow for a tackle on the same player. With five to go, the ref pulled a muscle and fourth official Caschera came on in his place. Injury time seemed to go on forever with the half lasting about 55 minutes but, other than a miscue by a Longford player inside the box when he turned, Wexford managed to hold on for the point which their first-half display deserved. Best for Wexford were Joey, who was a great outlet wide right, Brian Nolan as the holding midfielder while Scally and Jamie gave nothing away in the centre of the defence. Rocks won a huge amount of ball in the air playing on a small full-back and this gave a good balance up front for the Youths. Longford only dominated possession after Wexford went down to ten and I thought Bermingham looked the most dangerous for them once he came on. 1-1 at full-time with about 300 at the match, if all season tickets are included.

First time at Ferrycarrig, very nice setup. Shame about the result :)

Thanks, Ronnie. Not a great performance from Longford last night. Took your team too long to get to the pace of the game and the shape of your team up front appeared unusual - a little guy, Griffiths, in the middle, and a big guy, Shaw, on the right where he didn't look comfortable.


Forgot to mention that very late subs. for the Youths were Deano and Shane Nolan while we also had a new signing on the bench - Glen Howe, described by Shane Keegan in the programme as an exciting winger. Anyone know where he came from?

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Originally Posted by ForzaForth

Forgot to mention that very late subs. for the Youths were Deano and Shane Nolan while we also had a new signing on the bench - Glen Howe, described by Shane Keegan in the programme as an exciting winger. Anyone know where he came from?

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I think its supposed to be Glen Hawe. Hawe was at Dundee United last but he's from Waterford. I could be completely wrong tho! Hopefully he's as good as Joey Mulcahy he's been a great signing so far.

Is Martin Kehoe gone from the squad now too? The last programme I have is for the Waterford match and he's not listed so I presume he's gone?

Thanks, Cornflakes. Glen Hawe it is. I suppose that's our mid-season transfer budget gone.;)

Wouldn't be surprised about Murt. Had dropped to fourth choice centre-half at best and it must be hard to come training week after week without getting a sniff of any action on the pitch.