Wexford FC v UCD

[ForzaForth]

Wexford’s chances of securing their first points in Ferrycarrig tonight were scuppered as early as the first minute when a long punt upfield by UCD drew Wexford’s keeper, Jimmy Corcoran, to the edge of his area. With the nearest UCD player about 3-4 yards away, he was adjudged by the linesman to have handled the ball outside the area. The referee showed a straight red to Corcoran which seemed very harsh and Wexford had to take off Harry Groome and put young Sean Martin in goal who has never played for us before. Even worse, Sean could only parry the resulting UCD free-kick and UCD’s Lennon buried the rebound to put UCD a goal ahead. It was always going to be a long night for Wexford after that. Wexford started with Jimmy, Alex, Paul, James, Conor, Karl M, Karl F, Jack D, Luke, Paul and with Harry up front. After the nightmare start, Wexford played some decent football for a spell and had two good chances when Paul Fox was put clear after nine minutes but couldn’t beat Healy in the UCD goal. UCD then had a number of efforts on the Wexford goal before, on 33 minutes, Jack Doherty latched onto a bad UCD backpass and had a chance to chip Healy in the UCD goal, but it was a good bit too low and Healy was able to make a comfortable save. Wexford needed to prevent a second goal for UCD to stay in the game, but conceded a penalty on 36 minutes when Martin was adjudged to have cleaned out a UCD attacker without getting a touch of the ball. UCD’s Whelan smashed home the peno and the result was no longer in doubt at 2-0. Two goals for UCD followed in quick succession following an error in the Wexford defence and a good drilled effort by UCD’s Kerrigan and it was 4-0 to UCD at half-time.

[ForzaForth]

Given the state of the game, the second half was a non-event but it got worse for Wexford around the hour mark when Sean Martin in the Wexford goal got a second yellow when attempting to prevent a UCD attacker scoring from a bad backpass to leave Wexford with nine players and outfield player, Karl Fitzsimons, having to go in goal. Whelan scored again from the spot to make it 5-0 and Whelan then scored another from open play to make it 6-0 to UCD. With Wexford down to nine, it became more or less a turkey-shoot and Wexford were relieved to hear the final whistle to stop the scoring at six. Difficult night for Wexford as they prepare for a trip to Cork next week. Best for Wexford were Paul Cleary and Luke Turner who never gave up while Charlie Smith looked handy as he came on as a Wexford sub. 6-0 at full-time.

[sidewayspasser]

I presume both keepers will be suspended for next match. Who's playing in goals then, do you have to field an underage keeper or do you still have one in the senior squad that is match fit and not suspended?

[pineapple stu]

Tom Murphy (ex UCD) is listed in the squad as number 1 but wasn't involved last night. Is he still around/injured/available?

Strange match. The first red was very harsh I thought. The first peno could have been a straight red (maybe double jeopardy saved him) and the second peno was a clear red but only a second yellow given.

[ForzaForth]

Pineapple, Sorry for not getting back to you earlier. Position regarding Wexford goalkeepers is believed to be fluid at present. Hopefully, there'll be more news by Friday.