Wexford FC v WAterford

Contrasting fortunes for both sides at different times during this absorbing South-East derby in Ferrycarrig this evening, but it’ll be Waterford who will be less happy with the share of the points. Wexford started with Alex, Eoin, Joe, Luka, Conor C, Conor B, Thomas, Len, Jordon, Harry and Ger. With Wexford overloading the midfield from the start, they generally controlled the ball but found it hard to create chances in the final third. In contrast, Waterford play quite directly for a team with such good forwards but were gifted a couple of real chances in the first half which the away side didn’t convert. Luka Lovic had a shot early on for Wexford which was an easy save for Murphy in the Waterford goal. On thirteen minutes, Alex Moody was adjudged to have picked up a back-pass, but Patterson blazed the free well over. After Conor Crowley had stubbed wide a half-chance for Wexford, the Wexford defence allowed a Waterford player into space with a free header close in, but it was directed straight at Moody. On 26 minutes and again on 35 minutes, the Wexford defence somehow cleared the ball off their own goal-line when Waterford should have scored. A late shot on target by Wexford’s Conor Barry which was pushed around the Waterford post by Murphy then ended the half. 0-0 at half-time with Waterford having spurned a number of really good chances.

Wexford had been penalised a number of times for fouls just the other side of the penalty area, and it eventually proved costly for the home side as Junior Quitirna curled a free past Moody. With 14 minutes gone in the second half, it was 2-0 to Waterford when a ball travelled a long way across Wexford’s goal to allow Idowu to finish easily at the far post. Wexford not really playing well at this stage but got a life-line on 19 minutes when a well-struck volley found an outstretched Waterford hand inside the Blues’ penalty area. Wexford’s Conor Barry sent Murphy the wrong way from the spot and it was 2-1. Paul Cleary and Arron Dobbs had come on for Wexford at this stage and, for some reason, Wexford started creating real chances which they had found so difficult to do up till then. Thomas Considine and Dobbsy both had good chances to score but neither hit the target as Wexford started to take control of the game. Then, with ten minutes to go, Wexford's substitute, Adam Wells bombed down Wexford’s left to put in a low cross which was turned home close in by Dobbsy and it was 2-2. Conor Davis then came on for Wexford and, with a few minutes of injury-time gone, Aouachria was set up in front of the Wexford goal but, on his weaker foot, came off the shot badly and the ball arced well wide of the Wexford goal. So, 2-2 at full-time after a really good game. Best for Wexford were probably Len O’Sullivan, Luka Lovic and Conor Barry with Dobbsy turning the game when he came on. For Waterford, Junior Quitirna impressed while Darragh Power looks a fine prospect. Crowd was reported to be 818.

Very enjoyable game last night especially in the 2nd half. It could have gone either way but overall a draw was fair. Terrible miss from Wassim Aouachria at the end. I was frustrated at that and throwing away the 2 0 lead. Overall Wexford played some good football so probably earned a draw and was a good night's entertainment.