Mervue

[ForzaForth]

Concession of a rake of soft goals, all virtually identical, meant that Wexford could have no complaints against Mervue in a very breezy Ferrycarrig tonight. Youths made one change from the team which started against Cobh and lined out with Packie, Shane, Anto, Wolfie, Murt, Kevin, Patsy, Craig, Ben and Grinny playing behind Danny up front. Youths had an early chance when Kevin had a cross-shot which was comfortably saved. Gaffney, who had a stormer for Mervue, then should have scored when he latched onto the first of many through balls, but shot wide with only Packie to beat. A few minutes later, another long ball was controlled by Gaffney who made mince-meat of the two Wexford defenders and he slotted it past Packie for 0-1. Yet another through ball then reached Gaffney but he lobbed it over Packie and the bar with only Packie facing him.

[ForzaForth]

Some neat passing then got Craig through on the right but his shot was saved. Another Mervue long-ball then found Goldbey (called Gaffney by the announcer but he may have been wrong) in space on the right behind the Wexford defence and he slotted it between Packie's legs for 0-2. Yet another Mervue through-ball was controlled yet again by Gaffney and, when squared to the onrushing Mervue forward, Packie made a good save with his legs. During this half, Youths tried hard to create something and eventually got a goal back when Danny put the ball behind the Mervue defence to find Grinny who buried it top-left for 2-1 at half-time and with Youths very lucky to not be behind by more.

[ForzaForth]

Youths started witha higher tempo in the second and kept Mervue pinned back. However, Anto then got a nasty studs-up challenge from a Mervue attacker (yellow shown) and had to limp off with both Muzzi and Gareth coming on (Shane off also). Wexford's pressing led to Griing being put through but shooting wide and Wolfie heading over from a free-kick. Patsy then got pulled down in the box for a peno, which Danny put away off the right-hand post with the Mervue keeper gettng a touch for 2-2. However, Youths then gifted another goal to Mervue when a weak defensive header was despatched to the net with Packie having no chance for 2-3. Yet another through ball then reached a Mervue forward who rounded Packie for 2-4.

[ForzaForth]

Danny then scored the goal of the night when he took the ball down, tapped it over the Mervue defender and volleyed it top-right for 3-4. Wexford were doing all the pressing at this stage but Mervue secured the points with their fifth when a cross from the right left a number of their players in the clear but looked as if it was put away by a Wexford defender for 3-5. Late sub. was Darragh for Patsy. Except for the second Mervue goal which Packie might have reached first if he had come out very early, he couldn't be faulted for any but the defending was terrible in front of him with simple long balls catching the defence out again and again. Youths looked good going forward with Danny, Grinny and Kevin doing well and put in a better second half than the first. 3-5 at full-time with about 250 at it.

[cornflakes]

I wasn't able to go to the game last night but i was shocked that we conceded five. I knew it would be tough against an improving Mervue but this is shocking. We could really struggle this year

[Sunny Jim]

It's gonna be a long long season. Hopefully the rumours about there being no relegation this year are correct.