Mervue

[ForzaForth]

A disastrous second half by the Youths resulted in Mervue comfortably taking the three points in Ferrycarrig tonight. With Packie missing, the Youths gave their U19 keeper, Sean Allen, his debut and it resulted in a very nervous Youths defence which ultimately proved to be the Achilles heel. Youths started with Sean, Mark, Karl, Murt, Deano, Ben, Shane D., Shane N. Danny, Grinny and Tom up front on his own. Wexford started the brighter and shaded the first half in terms of chances created. After two, Grinny was sent clear but his shot was parried away by Hanley in the Mervue goal for a corner. After five, Tom did well to dispossess Hanley outside the box and had a clear run in on goal. But he managed to drill his effort straight at the last Mervue defender on the goal-line ans it was deflected for a corner.

[ForzaForth]

After 20, Mervue had their first reasonable effort when a goal-bound volley was deflected for a corner. Grinny then picked up a yellow for a sliding tackle and just after the half hour, Shane N. just failed to get onto the end of a good cross and Ben Ryan had a chip saved by Hanley. With a couple of minutes to go, Patrick Hoban lobbed over the onrushing Allen in the Youths goal but it went a yard wide of the left-hand post for nil-nil at half-time.

[ForzaForth]

Wexford played against the breeze in the second half and, after ten, the first goal was conceded when a sliced clearance fell straight to Dave Goldbey who volleyed it easily home from twelve out for one-nil to the visitors. Five minutes later, the Youths conceded another bad one when an innocuous cross was turned into his own net by Murt. Game was over at this point and the Youths' heads noticeably dropped. After twenty, Danny had a shot blocked away for a corner and James Dermody came on for Tom Elmes for the Youths. The impressive Nkololo for Mervue then beat three Wexford defenders but his shot was deflected for a corner by Sean Allen's feet. With fifteen to go, Patrick Hoban got Mervue's third when a cross found him in the clear and he volleyed home nicely for 3-0. Eoin Kinsella then came on for Grinny and Hoban drilled another effort against the post.

[ForzaForth]

With five to go, Shane D. smacked a 25-yarder against the crossbar and the rebound was put away by Danny but ruled out for offside. Final whistle then came with 3-0 result for the visitors. Best for Wexford on a bad night were probably Danny and, going forward, Mark Phelan whilst Shane Nolan tried hard as did Shane Dempsey but the latter's passing was too ambitious at times. Goldbey showed his experience up front for Mervue whilst Nkololo created much wide left for Mervue. About 150 at the match.