REPORT: Wexford Youths 1 - 2 Waterford Utd

Waterford United got there promotion chasing season off to the perfect start as they ran out 2-1 winners over Wexford Youths at Ferrycarrig Park on Friday Night. As goals from Karl Bermingham and David Warren cancelled out debutant Paul Murphy’s brief equaliser.

It was hard to know if the location was the south of Ireland or the south of Italy, as numerous characterisations of the Mediterranean country could be spotted around the grounds. Italian opera music was echoed around the stands, fine wines were supplied in the club house, Wexford adopted an Italian style sweeper formation, banners saying ‘Forza Wexford’ were put up every where and lastly the Youths new pink away jersey was being sold by the dozens. The pink Jersey is infamously worn by Italian club Palermo and now the men from Wexford.

Wexford manager Mick Wallace is known for considering Italy as home and all these things contributed to making an electric atmosphere and also making Ferrycarrig Park look like a fortress.

Waterford arrived into the game as one of the favourites to go back into the Premier League and Wexford had to try and shake off the tag as First Division Whipping boys, destined to finish the season last. Not by lack of ability, but lack of experience. So Wallace ran the battle cry as he said ‘without hope, there is nothing’.

Wexford believed that they could cause an upset, but they got off to the worst possible start as they conceded an early goal. Within the 5th minute, they went 1-0 down as Karl Bermingham hit the back of the net. Wexford goalkeeper Jason Russell was left in no mans land as he rushed off his line to prevent a Waterford attack, only for Michael Foley to coolly find the on rushing Bermingham, who neatly slotted his shot into the back of the net as Russell, his defence and the Wexford fans were left shocked. At this stage Wallace and his assistant Pat Dolan must have feared the worst as Bermingham and Foley linked up constantly and could have had more goals, but in fairness to Wexford they battled, fought and never gave in.

Wexford created some great chances especially through Richard Fitzgerald and Paul Murphy. Half way through the first half they linked up beautifully. Murphy held up the ball on the edge of the box after a cross from Johnny Flynn O’Connor on the left and Murphy fed the ball to Fiztgerald who smashed a shot down the mouth of the goal only for Waterford goalkeeper Packie Holden to tip it onto the bar. Chances were plentiful for both sides in an eventful first half as Wexford player Gavin Doyle had a few great opportunities on the right hand side and Waterford striker David Warren was giving the Wexford defenders a headache. Then just before half-time Waterford defender David Breen smashed a header off the crossbar from a Luke Fitzpatrick cross and that could have been curtains for the Youths.

Instead it stayed 1-0 to the Blues going into the break.

Wexford started the second half brightly, but could have been 2-0 down within the first 10 minutes as Thomas Hawkins misjudged a high ball and Karl Bermingham was left one on one with keeper Jason Russell only for him to send his shot high and wide and into the car park. That was the wake up call Wexford needed as in the 59th minute all their hard work was rewarded. Debutant Paul Murphy received the ball from a Paul Malone knock down after Conor Sinnott crossed from deep and as Murphy held off the Waterford defender he turned in the box and placed the ball in the bottom left corner. The place erupted as Wallace could sense a result, but it wasn’t to be. As Waterford were back in the lead in the 62nd minute when the referee awarded them a harsh penalty. Luke Fitzpatrick crossed the ball into a crowed Wexford box and during the scramble the ball was sliced off Stuart Lawlor’s hand and the referee pointed to the spot, Waterford manager Gareth Cronin must have been relived. Up stepped David Warren and he was coolness personified as his shot was tucked into the bottom left corner, Waterford back in front.

The two sides cancelled each other out until the 71st minute when Waterford captain John Hayes saw a straight red card for a rash and high tackle on Gavin Doyle. Suddenly it was all Wexford as they pushed for an equaliser and in the last minute of normal time they nearly got it. Johnny Flynn O’Conner ran on to the ball on the right hand side and from 25 yards he unleashed a rasping shot that cannoned off the bottom of the post, a point was so close, but it wasn’t to be as 10 man Waterford held on to record an away victory.

Gareth Cronin will be happy to start off the season with a win and he will hope to build a title push from here to the rest of the season. Wallace on the other hand should be proud of his players they fought till the end and by this performance I’ll expect them to pull off a few shocks this season.

Wexford Youths: Jason Russell; Thomas Hawkins (Kyle Dempsey 90), Stuart Lawlor, Garrett Larkin (Liam O’Loughlin 77), Anto Russell; Conor Sinnott, Patsy Malone, Gavin Doyle (Martin Kelly 86), Johnny Flynn O’Connor; Richard Fitzgerald, Paul Murphy.

Bookings: Murphy (41), Larkin (64), Malone (76).

Waterford United: Packie Holden; Stephen Quigley, David Breen, John Hayes, Kieran Fitzgerald; Luke Fitzpatrick, Michael Foley (Kenny Browne 78), Paul McCarthy, Kevin Waters; Karl Bermingham (Willie John Kiely 72), Dave Warren (Gary Dunphy 90).

Bookings: Fitzgerald (49), Fitzpatrick (67), Browne (78).
Sent Off: Hayes (71).

Referee: Tom Connolly.
Attendance: 1,626.
Man of the Match: Paul Murphy (Wexford Youths).