Mervue

[ForzaForth]

Effective rather than dazzling performance by the Youths tonight as they secured all three points on a very lively pitch in Ferrycarrig where the ball always wanted to take the extra bobble. Youths started with Graham, Brian, Jamie, CJ, Jimmy, Aidan, Shane N., Shane D., Deano, and Danny and Tom up front. Mervue created a reasonable chance in the first minute when Graham had to push a dangerous cross centrally but it fell safely to a Youths defender to clear. However, the Youths then had a good spell as Mervue looked vulnerable in the air and a bit short of confidence. On ten, Danny was put through but was tackled and the ball fell to Tom who set up Deano for a comfortable side-foot finish low left for 1-0. After twelve, Mervue picked up a yellow for a touch of retaliation after picking up a free-kick. This was called by the lino but an identical incident in the second was to lead to a straight red for Mervue. After fourteen, Danny was put through but shot wide on a pitch where first-time shooting was near impossible. Two later, Danny had the ball in the net when he met a cross from Shane D., but was ruled out for offside. With thirty gone, Deano had a good run down the left but his shot from the angle was saved by Forde with his legs in the Mervue goal for a corner. Mervue then had a reasonable spell and with ten to go flashed a header just wide. However, just on the half, Deano put Danny through who rounded Forde with ease and stabbed it home with his left for 2-0 to the Youths at half-time.

[ForzaForth]

Second half was generally a tamer affair. After five, CJ picked up a yellow for a tackle on Nkololo again when the ball seemed to hop up. After eight, Tom was put through but again miscued with his left with the ball bouncing up off the turf. After ten, Mervue also picked up a yellow for a tackle. With twenty gone, CJ put in a very good last-ditch challenge to prevent a Mervue player running in on goal. With half the second-half gone, Craig came on for Tom who looked to be carrying a knock going off. Immediately after, Walsh picked up a straight red for Mervue when he seemed to retaliate near the corner flag after being challenged by Aidan. Not sure if that was the ref's only option in my view. Playing with ten, Mervue then had a good spell when Graham had to stretch to push away a cross which beat everyone and then a shot which hopped up hit him in the chest. With eight to go, Patsy came on for Shane Nolan and almost immediately picked up a yellow for a block. With five to go, Danny was put through again but Forde blocked his effort for a corner. Corky came on for Deano right on the ninety and, in injury time Shane Dempsey had a volley which went just wide.

[ForzaForth]

Overall, a reasonable performance on a difficult pitch which made phases of passing virtually impossible for both sides. Best for Wexford were probably Deano and Danny who used the ball most effectively while Mervue looked most comfortable with the ball in their forward-line with Nkololo and Pat Hoban doing best. Attendance was called as 327. 2-0 at full-time.