Longford

[ForzaForth]

Late Longford goal denied the Youths the point their performance deserved in City Calling Stadium tonight. Youths started with Graham, Robert, Gary, Patsy, Shane, Daryl, Brian, Eric, Clarkey and with Graham and Daragh up front. With both sides generally happy to play it long and defences generally on top, the match coughed up relatively few chances. After five minutes, Graham picked up a yellow for a tackle. Three minutes later, Daragh headed back a cross towards the other post and Graham had a volley deflected for a corner. On 11 minutes, the Longford winger also had a shot deflected for a corner. This was one of many Longford corners during the first period, as better delivery meant that the Youths found it difficult to clear them easily. On twenty minutes, Haverty went off for Longford. Midway through the half, Graham had a shot cleared off the line after good work by Daragh down the right. With a half-hour gone, Robert also got a yellow for a tackle.

[ForzaForth]

On 32 minutes, Wexford gave the ball away cheaply in their own half, and Gorman (?) drilled a low shot from 25 yards out to beat Graham to his left for 1-0 to the home side. O'Sullivan then shot over from an angle after a break down the right. Then with seven to go in the half, Daragh broke through and looked to have got it past Bennion but a last-ditch Longford defender managed to get it away for 1-0 to Longford at half-time. First half of the second period was uneventful although, after 15 minutes, the Longford replacement for Haverty picked up a yellow for a tackle on Daryl. Chances remained scarce and, midway through the half, O'Sullivan had a good header which Graham did well to push away but it was ruled off for offside. Wexford's only decent chance of the second half then came up trumps for the away side when a long free into the box found the tall Gary Delaney free at the far post, and he headed it wisely back towards the other post where Eric volleyed it high into the net for 1-1. (Most Youth's supporters thought it was Graham but it's hard to distinguish between them.)

[ForzaForth]

Draw was looking the likely result at this stage but then, with five minutes to go, Wexford's defence couldn't clear a ball inside their own box and sub. Gary Shaw stabbed it home from close range underneath the advancing Graham in the Wexford goal for 2-1 to Longford. Wexford couldn't capitalise from two late corners to leave Longford with the three points on a 2-1 scoreline. Little to choose between the two sides, but the major fault on the Youth's part was much poorer delivery into the box - high and slow rather than fast and whippy.

Best for Wexford were Gary and Patsy who kept the Longford attack under control most of the game, while Daryl and Clarkey did well on the wings. Think Clarkey would look more comfortable on his more natural right-side. Danny was a late sub for the Youths. 2-1 to Longford at full-time.