Salthill

**ForzaForth** · 13/05/2011, 9:29 PM

Wexford's lack of composure on the ball and general creativity told against them tonight as they eventually lost out to a Salthill side which grew steadily into the match as it went on. Wexford started with the same eleven as against Harps with Packie, Gareth, Karl Murt, Deano, Ben, Patsy, Craig, Shane and Danny and Grinny up front. The Youths started the brighter and Ben had a shot on target after about five which was comfortably saved, a few minutes later Shane then got another shot away, and then Danny was set clear about twenty yards out but he hurriedly shot over when he had a bit more time. Karl then got a yellow for a tackle on the impressive Nkololo for Salthill.

**ForzaForth** · 13/05/2011, 9:33 PM

Salthill then seemed to realise that they could get something from this game and, after half an hour, forced Packie to push a shot away for a corner after a mistake in the Wexford defence. A minute later, a free header for Salthill was nodded tamely into Packie's arms and with ten to go, Salthill had a good volley just over from about twenty yards out after a corner was cleared. Just before half-time, Wexford went in front when Ben came in from the right and his left-footed shot was deflected past the keeper for one-nil to Wexford after a poor enough half.

**ForzaForth** · 13/05/2011, 9:38 PM

Salthill's optimism didn't seem to be affected by the goal before half-time as they equalised two minutes into the second half when a near post corner was moved on which found a Salthill full-back all on his own in the six yard box and he easily put it away for one-one. Ben then got a yellow for another tackle on Nkololo, and after ten minutes Dara came on for, somwhat surprisingly, Grinny who was one of the few Wexford players to be composed when getting on the ball. Five minutes later, Kevin Rowe replaced Shane. Packie then pulled off a good save as Salthill's ploy to put two men on the near post for corners worked again as he pushed the resulting free header over the bar.

**ForzaForth** · 13/05/2011, 9:45 PM

With twenty to go, Wolfie came on for Gareth and the turning point of the match occurred when the normally reliable Danny headed wide from a good cross by Dara when it looked easier to score. Salthill then went ahead with ten to go, when a nice through ball was tucked past the advancing Packie who had no chance. Two more chances then fell to Dara who had a shot saved by the keeper's legs and a run clear from the left which came to nothing. Dara then had a shout for a peno when he headed the ball just as the keeper got to him but the ref adjudged that no contact had been made. As Wexford pushed for the equaliser, Packie made a great save from one Salthill break and then was beaten by the last kick of the match for three-one to Salthill when a long-ball was nodded down to the second Salthill attacker who slid it past Packie.

**ForzaForth** · 13/05/2011, 9:49 PM

Wexford's weakness when asked to try to break a team down and the ease with which they give the ball away comes to the fore when they play the so-called weaker teams and this was the case again tonight. Salthill improved as the match went on and were the better footballing side against a Youths side which likes to graft. Best player on the pitch by far was Nkololo on the wing for Salthill who roasted any Youths player who came up against him. Three-one to Salthill at full time with about 230 at it.