Waterford

[ForzaForth]

Entertaining game in the RSC tonight which may have hinged on a couple of controversial refereeing decisions. On a pitch where the rolling ball threw up a fair bit of spray all night, Youths started 4-5-1 with Graham in goal, a back four of Scally, Jamie, CJ and Corkey, a midfield of Joey, Patsy, Craig, Brian and Rocks, and Danny up front on his own. Youths started well with Danny looking lively. After two, Danny got a shot away which was comfortably saved by Packie in the Waterford goal. Two later, Danny had a curling shot which went about a foot over. After eight, Graham did well to push away a Gary Dempsey free which bounced in front of him. A minute later, Craig was sent free to face Packie and was taken down by Long with the ball breaking free to Joey. However, Joey couldn't round Packie and the ref brandished a yellow which might have been a red. However, Craig had to be taken off on a stretcher as a result and later reports were that the injury was very serious. Hopefully, it's not as bad as feared. Crokey came on midfield in his place. After twenty, Mernagh picked up a yellow for the Blues for a tackle on Joey. Packie had to tip over Danny's free-kick for a corner. After 28, Joey went down un the Waterford box looking for a peno but nothing was given. Just after the half-hour, a Waterford attacker got a goold low shot away from thirty out, but Graham was able to grab it at the second attempt.

[ForzaForth]

A minute later, the ball hoppedup in the centre circle to hit Long on the shoulder but little on for the Youths. Ref. gave a free and showed Long a second yellow for his dismissal. Bizarre in my view. With seven to go in the half, Joey was put through but a last-ditch tackle saved the day with a Youth's corner resulting. Nothing came of it and it was nil-nil at half-time with Youths showing more energy and the Blues limited to a couple of long shots only. Second-half started with a yellow for Carey for a tackle. A minute later, the Youths went ahead when a mistake down Waterford's right let a low cross come in with Packie drawn to his near post. The ball fell to danny who slotted it nicely inside the right-hand post for a 1-0 lead to Wexford. Three minutes later, Waterford almost equalised when Graham had to come out to block a shot and the rebound fell to a Waterford attacker who cracked one off the inside of the right-hand post but it came out. After fifteen, Brian had a run and shot for the Youths but he put it just wide. Doherty then came on for Phelan for the Blues. Higgins then got a yellow for a tackle for Waterford and McGrath then came on in Higgins's place.

[ForzaForth]

Game then meandered along until the last fifteen when Shane Nolan came on for his twin who limped off and Breener came on for Waerford. Five later, Waterford gave the ball away in midfield and the ball was put through for Danny who had to take a few strides and then beat Packie with some composed finishing for 2-0 to Wexford. CJ then picked up a yellow for a tackle on Maguire and then also limped off with Eric coming on in his place. With two to go in normal time, Danny was put through again to get his hat-trick but Packie managed to block it away with an out-stretched leg. Right on the ninety, Graham had to tip over a Waterford header for a corner. In the third of four minutes of injury-time, Maguire did some damage down Wexford's left and his low cross was slotted home for 2-1 to Wexford. Game only lasted another minute or so before the ref. blew up for a welcome win for the Youths with a 2-1 final score.

[ForzaForth]

Very good all-round performance by the Youths who showed a lot of energy from one to eleven and it would be unfair to pick out any individual. Maguire again stood out for Waterford and I doubt if there's a better player in the Division with the ball at his feet. Thought Waterford's left wing also did well but, overall, Waterford didn't seem to match Wexford's energy on the night which is the one thing you can't do against the Youths. 2-1 to the Youths at full time.