Waterford

[ForzaForth]

Two late goals put the gloss on the scoreboard that the Youth's performance in the RSC probably deserved tonight. But the Youths also had to survive a rocky period in the second half when they almost let the Blues back to equality. Wexford not surprisingly started with the same XI which had done so well against Cabinteely and started with Graham, Craig McC., Lee, Gary, Jimmy, Speedy, Peter, Jonny, Andy and with Danny and Rocks up front. Youths were the better side for most of the first half and deserved to go in two up at half-time.After five minutes, a cross from Danny found Speedy Whittle at the far post but he headed straight into Connor's hands in the Blues goal. A minute later, a good shot by McAlavey for the Blues from 25 yards out forced Graham to push it dangerously back into play. Youths had much of the territory for this early period as Rocks was routinely fouled every time the ball came near him. On 15 minutes, Ethan Boyle for the Blues picked up a yellow for a tackle. On 18 minutes, a good pass by Lee Grace found Andy Mulligan behind his full-back in space, and his low cross found the usual predator at the near post who blasted it high into the roof of the net for a goal for Danny and the Youths and 1-0. A minute later, Danny had a chip at Connor but the latter was able to catch it cleanly enough. With 20 gone, Jack Doherty for the Blues had a half-chance when found by a low cross from the right but, stretching, couldn't keep it on target.

[ForzaForth]

Then, on 25 minutes, a flick from Danny put Rocks clear down the left and his cross found Speedy at the far post who managed to beat the defender on the goal-line for 2-0. Ethan Boyle then lifted a shot just over the bar with eight minutes to go when a long throw fell to him about ten yards out. Three minutes later, Graham had to be sharp to smother another attempt by Ethan who had arrived late into the Youth's box. A header over the bar by the tall Gary Delaney then finished the half with the Youths good value for their 2-0 lead and looking untroubled.

[ForzaForth]

Youths continued their domination at the start of the second period when a snap shot by Gary Delaney had to be pushed over the bar by Connor in the Blues goal. From that corner, Gary had another header on target but Connor just got his fingertips to it for yet another corner. Speedy then nearly set up Danny with a cross but it was put away by a Blues defender for yet another corner. Then, with seven minutes gone, Waterford made a game of it, when a rare attack resulted in Willie John Kiely's shot taking a wicked deflection as it ballooned over Graham's head and in for 2-1. On 12 minutes, Danny was put through yet again, but coming in at an angle, Connor was able to push his shot away. Gary Delaney then saw his free header at a corner bounce off the ground and hop over the bar. Critical moment of the match came on 17 minutes when Blues applied some pressure and as the ball was half-cleared by the Wexford defence, it was chipped back by a Blues midfielder with Graham Doyle stranded and looked to be heading into the empty net when Lee Grace came from nowhere to manage a goal-line clearance to leave the score at 2-1. Rocks then got a yellow for persistent fouling with 20 minutes to go.

[ForzaForth]

Blues always looked vulnerable when Wexford could get the ball behind their back four which was high up the pitch and this led to two goals for the Youths in the last ten minutes when Andy Mulligan got space down the left and, as usual, looked for Danny who was able to volley home. Rocks then finished in the left hand corner of the Blues' goal to leave the final score at 4-1 to the Youths at full-time. Late subs for the Youths were Craig Wall with 15 to go and Craig Comerford and, making his first appearance of the season, Stephen Last, with a few minutes remaining. Best for Wexford were probably again the three attackers of Danny, Rocks and Andy while Peter Higgins bossed the midfield. Despite his two goals, Danny seems to be carrying a leg at the moment. For Waterford, Fitzpatrick and Ethan Boyle were the most impressive while Willie John Kiely put in a good shift in the second forty-five. 4-1 to the Youths at full-time.