Waterford

[ForzaForth]

Just as game seemed to be drifting to a scoreless draw which seemed reasonably fair to both sides, Waterford pulled two very late goals out of the bag to sink a brave Youths effort in Ferrycarrig tonight. Noel started 4-5-1 with Packie, Mark, Karl, Murt, James, Ben, Shane N., Shane D., Danny, Deano and Darragh up front on his own. Wexford had a good opening twenty minutes and were unlucky not to be ahead. After two, Shane D put Danny clear down the left and his left foot effort was blocked away for a corner. After five, Burns went down bravely at Darragh's feet to prevent him getting on to a through ball and got a kick for his efforts which left him in discomfort for the remainder of the match. After eleven, Wexford had a corner blocked on the near post with the Youths appealing for handball but nothing was given. A minute later, the Blues got their first effort on target when Packie had to get down on the deck to his left to hold onto a bobbler from twenty out. With fifteen gone, Danny had a shot deflected over the bar for a corner and Burns dropped the corner resulting in a Wexford effort which was again cleared off the line.

[ForzaForth]

With twenty gone, WJK just couldn't reach a dangerous cross from the left for the Blues and, five later, Dunphy came on for Hayes for Waterford. Game quietened down thereafter but with ten to go, Wexford nearly turned the ball into their own net when a cross from the right was diverted just beyond the far post for a corner. Just on the blow, Ben picked up a yellow for a tackle with 0-0 at half time with the Youths just shading the half.

[ForzaForth]

Second half began quietly enough but, after ten, a dangerous cross from the left by Deano was hammered off his own cross-bar by Browne to prevent Darragh from grabbing the lead for the Youths. Five later, Danny had an effort deflected just beyond the right-hand post for a corner. However, the game then swung in the Blues' favour and Packie picked up a yellow for dissent and Dwayne Wilson came on for the Blues. On the hour mark, Packie pulled off a great save to push a twelve=yard volley over the bar for a corner and, two later, a Blues forward free at the far post sent his header just wide of the other post with Packie beaten. Shane N. then picked up a yellow for a tackle and Grinny came on for Shane D. and Tom for a hard-working Darragh up front. Changes seemed to upset the Youths and, with five to go a cross from the right was deflected onto the cross-bar by a YOuths defender leaving Phelan with the simple task of nodding the rebound past Packie. Two later, Packie had to pull off another save to keep out another Blues effort and the rebound was squared to leave McGuire with another simple task for 2-0 to the Blues. Packie then blasted the ref. again for a second yellow for dissent with Sean Allen coming on in goal and Karl making way.

[ForzaForth]

Just on the ninety, Tom broke clear down the right and squared it to Danny who finished well but the assistant flagged it for offside leaving Danny to pick up a yellow for dissent and a 2-0 final score to the Blues. Again, another good effort from Wexford with Shane N. outstanding in midfield and Darragh and Danny not far behind. About 400 at it with good away support from Waterford. Tickets were on sale during the match for Kevin Doyle's jersey against France in the WC play-off signed by all the Irish team.

[Youths4Ever]

Thought Packie sending off was harsh first booking for dissent fine but how many times over a season do u see a goal keeper pick the ball out of the goal and kick it away after a goal scored plus why would he have wanted to waste time losing two nil plus when waterford player kicked ball away not booked. Danny on the other hand lucky not to get his second red of the season for dissent.

Thought played well and unlucky in first half not to score with two efforts thought one was handball

[cornflakes]

I think the ref was looking for a reason to send Packie off, he was probably lucky to stay on after screaming in his face earlier in the game. I thought overall the ref was poor, he didn't book any Waterford players when he should of booked Dunphy and Long (I think that's them) for persistent fouling including some bad tackles, while we got 5 yellows. Most were deserved but he didn't book any of their players for similar offences. He was an away town ref!!

..but we can't blame the ref for the result. Poor defending at the end cost us again (how many games have we lost games in the last five minutes?)
Sean Maguire for Waterford was very impressive, the best player on the park and he's only 17!