Waterford

[ForzaForth]

Late Wexford penalty secured the three points in breezy Ferrycarrig tonight in a match in which Youths were generally first to the ball. Youths made two changes from the team which started in Drom with Graham, Brian, Jamie, CJ, Corkey, Eric, Crokey, Glen, Deano, Shane and with Rocks up front. Waterford started well and, after five, had a free header from a corner but Long put it wide from beyond the far post. Three later, the Blues went in front when CJ lost the ball in his own half and the ball was squared to Sullivan who put it past Graham for 1-0 to Waterford. Five later, Sullivan got a yellow from a tackle and then Hyland in the Blues goal dropped the ball when impeded by his own player and the ball was nearly prodded home by the Youths.

[ForzaForth]

Youths picked up the pace from then on with Rocks winning a lot of ball up front and Brian doing well at right full. On the twenty mark, Youths equalised when Corkey was sent free down the left and he finished neatly with a low shot past Hyland for 1-1. Rest of the half was fairly nondescript but Brian went off after 38 with Jimmy Dermody coming on and the last action of the half was a Blues free which was cleared off the line for a reasonable 1-1 score at half-time.

[ForzaForth]

Wexford had the breeze in the second half which suited them and long passages of play took place in the Blues half without much being created. However, the Blues had the better delivery when they got into position to produce crosses and frees into the box. On fifteen, Corkey got a yellow for a tackle and, five later, Hyland had to push a half-shot by Wexford round the post for a corner. Deano then hit the top of the cross-bar with a header with Hyland beaten. Coad and Doherty then came on as subs for Waterford.

[ForzaForth]

With thirteen to go, CJ got a yellow for a tackle and two later, pivotal point in the match took place when Deano, on his natural left side, whipped in a cross and a Wexford attacker went down in the box. Ref seemed to be happy to let it go but lino started flagging vigorously. After a good degree of consultation, ref. sent off Blues defender and Deano took the peno to put Hyland the wrong way for 2-1 to Wexford. Waterford had one or two corners but they were dealt with by Wexford and then one final free which was blocked by the Wexford defence to leave the final score at 2-1 for the home side. Late sub for the Youths was Caolan for Glenn while both Mernagh and Higgs picked up yellows for Waterford in the final minutes.

[ForzaForth]

Best for Wexford were Rocks who caused trouble for the Blues defence all night with Shane and Crokey doing well in midfield. Sullivan looked the pick of the Blues players but generally they were second-best around the pitch and couldn't match the energy of the Youths. Crowd was called as 457.