Monaghan

[ForzaForth]

No points for the Youths tonight but at least a much better performance against the Mons, especially in the second half. With Anto still injured and Patsy suspended, Wexford started 4-4-1-1 with Packie, Gareth, Karl, Wolfie, Murt, Ben, Greg, Craig, Kevin and Grinny playing behind Danny up front. First twenty was dominated possession-wise by the Mons with them regularly looking for their left wing in space behind Gareth. Mons no. 6 then got a yellow for pulling back Danny as he tried to set-up a breakaway. First shot on target was for the Mons after 25, but the volley was straight down Packie's throat. Danny then had Wexford's only chance of the half but he flashed a volley well-wide when it dropped to him from a corner.

[ForzaForth]

With ten to go, Isichei had a free header for the Mons. but Packie got down low left to grab it easily enough as it could have done with more power. Five later, Mons went ahead deservedly as their winger broke free down the right and his cross left a free header for Breenan who put it away top left for 1-0 to the Mons at half-time.
First goal in the second-half was going to br crucial and, unfortunately, it fell to the Mons after about two when a free-kick from about 25 was curled over the wall leaving Packie grasping air for 2-0 and, you would think, game over. With ten gone in the half, Shane came on for Kevin and went wide right.

[ForzaForth]

Out of the blue, Wexford then pulled a goal back when Gareth (?) did brilliantly to win the ball wide right in the Mons half and his low cross was met nicely by Danny who tucked it away for 2-1. Shane then looped a header over the bar while Mons had a good chance from a corner but couldn't make it 3-1. Craig then got a yellow for several tough tackles and the Mons winger had a chance to make it 3-1 but scuffed his shot wide.

[ForzaForth]

With ten to go, Darragh came on for Grinny and immediately looked lively and got Ben clear wide left but he shot straight at Sava. With five to go, Ben put Darragh in the clear with Sava beaten but he had to turn on it and his low goalbound shot was cleared by the last defender for a corner. Criminally, at that stage, Wexford's last two corners failed to beat the first man and Monaghan held on to take all three points for a 2-1 final score. Wexford battled well all over the pitch and I thought Craig had one of his best games for the Youths, Danny doing well up front and Darragh having a good cameo ten minutes. Karl and Wolfie did well in the middle of the back four while Monaghan had great threat wide on both sides of the pitch. Monaghan have a comfort zone where they stroll round the pitch and pass the ball well but you need to hustle them out of that zone and run at their back four but Wexford only tried it when they went two down. With Wexford's subs doing well, Noel may still not know what his best starting eleven is. 2-1 at full time.