Mervue

[ForzaForth]

Closer match than the final scoreline suggests in Ferrycarrig tonight in a match which started with a gale blowing diagonally across the pitch although it died down later on. Youths made four changes with CJ, Eric, Deano and Daryl starting and went with Graham, Craig, CJ, Gary, Jimmy, Eric, Shane, Brian, Rocks and with Deano and Daryl up front. Wexford had the wind advantage in the first 45 and, with Mervue looking sluggish, dominated the half. After a few early sighters by the Wexford forwards, a real chance fell to Rocks after twelve, when he was put through on the left but he shot low straight at Gleeson in the Mervue goal who managed to block it away. A minute later, a long throw into the box fell to Eric who tucked it away low just inside the left hand post for 1-0. On fifteen, another good Wexford move put Eric clear down the right but he dragged his shot wide with only Gleeson to beat. Wexford's dominance then fell away and the second part of the first 45 was dull enough, with Rocks getting a yellow on 35 minutes. Mervue's only chance of the half came with a minute to go, when Youths lost the ball in their own half, and a through-ball was volleyed over on the stretch by a Mervue forward. Two further yellows then closed the half, one for Mervue and one for Gary from the Youths. A deserved 1-0 to the home side at half-time.

[ForzaForth]

Where Wexford dominated the first 20 minutes, the second half was started very well by Mervue and culminated in a penalty miss by the away side which was the key turning point. On five minutes, Graham had to tip away a Mervue effort which was creeping in at the far post. Three minutes later, a Mervue effort which was going in was deflected by Gary for a corner. After ten, Wexford made a double switch up front with Tom Elmes (first appearance this season) and Graham Delaney coming on for Deano and Daryl. On 15 minutes, Mervue had the ball in the net, but a foul was given on Graham Doyle in the Youth's goal. Mervue then picked up another yellow and, on the 20 minute mark, Mervue were awarded a penalty when Gary stretched to get to the ball first inside the Youth's box. The peno. was hit at a very comfy height which Graham was always going to save if he went the right away - and he did.

[ForzaForth]

Graham followed up the heroics by nearly punching a swirling corner into his own net but it went just beyond the far post. The tide turned in favour of the home side again after the missed penalty as Tom and Graham held onto the ball better up front. Midway through the half, Brian got a yellow for a tackle, and two minutes later, Tom had a turn and a shot just wide - his fourth effort on goal since coming on to show us what we have been missing. O'Mahony then came for Curran for Mervue, and Shane then had a good run and curling shot just wide. However, with seven to go, Walsh got a second yellow for a studs-up block on the clearing Wexford defender and the match was safe for the home side. Wexford had three good chances in the remaining minutes with Eric set up by Tom whose effort was deflected for a corner. Rocks then blazed over from twelve out when clear, and, in injury time, Tom set up Eric again who managed to finish nicely past Gleeson for a 2-0 final score. Best for Wexford were CJ and Gary, while Eric and Rocks did well going forward. Even playing only one half, Tom looked the business when he came on and hopefully he can play the second-half of the season for us. 2-0 at full-time with about 130 in attendance, including season tickets.