Waterford (Friendly)

[ForzaForth]

First outing for the Youths and a lively enough friendly in Bunclody this afternoon with a draw a reasonable outcome although the Youths missed a lot of chances in the second half. The pitch was quite soft and the grass higher than hoped for which meant that good football was difficult. Youths began with Graham Doyle, Aidan Friel, Gary Delaney, Stephen Last, unknown, Conor Whittle, Chris Kenny, Shane Dunne, Rocks Keenan and Danny Furlong and Paul 'Spot' Murphy up front. First half was relatively clear of chances. On ten minutes, Hopper Kenny had a header which was turned over the bar by the Waterford keeper. Five minutes later, the Blues had a decent chance from a corner, but it hit the Blues attacker in the stomach from about six yards out when in the clear, and it trickled into Graham's hands. On 40 minutes, Danny won a header in the opposition half, the ball was fed out to Aidan Friel down the right and his cross was headed past the Blues keeper by the Blues centre half for an o.g. and 1-0 to the home side. 1-0 to Wexford at half-time.

[ForzaForth]

Wexford made six changes at half-time, bringing on Matt Connor, Daryl Power, Paul Brennan, Craig Wall, Danny Ledwith and John Peare. Wexford made more of an attacking impression in the second half with Conor English looking lively and Rocks Keenan posing more of an aerial threat in a central position up front. On five minutes, Conor English set up Rocks Keenan in front of goal, but his shot was saved by the Blues keeper. On 12 minutes, Danny Ledwith picked up a yellow for a tackle. With fifteen gone, the Blues equalised when the Youths couldn't clear their lines and a Blues forward shot home powerfully with Matt Connor able to get a hand on it but unable to keep it out. With twenty minutes gone, Conor English had a good chance but shot wide and then, two later, another chance fell to Conor but he couldn't keep it on target again. Two more chances then fell to the Youths when Craig Wall was put through but couldn't beat the Blues keeper and then Hopper Kenny blasted over from a corner with his left when found from a corner. 1-1 at full-time.

Early days but best for the Youths were Gary Delaney who was very impressive, Craig Wall who had a storming second half, Conor English who looked creative up front and good touches from John Peare down the left. Preferred Rocks Keenan in a central attacking role rather than wide left. Waterford looked useful up to the final third and had a good balance in midfield. Two former Youths players from last season who started for the Blues were Deano Broaders and Jimmy Dermody. 1-1 at full-time.