Wexford Youths 2 - 0 Mervue United

Wexford Youths moved back to third position after a double from Eric Molloy gave them a fourth win in five league games as they defeated Mervue Utd 2-0 at Ferrycarrig Park on Friday night.

Molloy scored early and late in the game to hand the home side all three points but Mervue missed a penalty to level matters just past the hour mark. The visitors also had a goal disallowed prior to that, while they ended the game with ten men as Stephen Walshe saw red for the second successive season at Ferrycarrig Park.

The hosts were quickly into their stride and defender Craig McCabe had an early effort from distance well held by Connor Gleeson, while good play between Dean Broaders and Daryl Power saw the latter shoot wide on six minutes.

Aiden Keenan should have opened the scoring when he was released through one-on-one with Gleeson but the Mervue keeper came out on top to keep the game scoreless. Not for long though. A minute later a long throw from McCabe found Molloy and he fired a low effort into the bottom corner past Gleeson from outside the box for 1-0.

Good play from James Dermody and Keenan set up Molloy for another shooting chance on 13 minutes but this time his badly hit effort went wide. The visitors rarely threatened at this stage with the blustery wind a big factor in the game.

Mervue defender Martin Conneely denied Dean Broaders with an excellent tackle on 25 minutes when it looked like the midfielder would make it 2-0 to the home side. The visitors only real effort of the opening half saw birthday boy Ryan Manning (just turned 17) do well before firing a well struck effort just over Graham Doyle's crossbar shortly before the interval. The half finished with a number of bookings for both sides and a penalty shout for Wexford turned down.

The early action of the second half saw Mervue press for an equaliser as Gary Curran’s free-kick struck the post and Manning was denied by another excellent block from Gary Delaney at the expense of a corner.

Mervue had the ball in the net on the hour mark but referee Robert Harvey ruled out Paul Sinnott’s effort for a foul on keeper Graham Doyle by Tom King. Two minutes later and they had the chance to level matters after King did well on the right before picking out Ryan Manning’s run in the box which was halted by Gary Delaney who upended the young striker.

But Johnny Glynn’s side missed a third penalty of the season when Gary Curran saw his effort brilliantly saved by Doyle to keep his side in front. Mervue continued to put pressure on the home goal, winning a number of corners but without ever threatening Doyle’s goal.

An excellent run from Wexford’s Shane Nolan saw him lose a few defenders but then shoot just over Gleeson’s crossbar on 77 minutes. Two minutes later and Mervue’s cause got even harder as defender Stephen Walshe received a second booking of the night and an early bath. He was also sent off in the corresponding fixture last year which Wexford also won 2-0.

With Mervue now forcing the game and playing with three at the back they were leaving themselves open to quick counter attacks from the home side. A minute into injury time good play from sub Tom Elmes played in fellow sub Graham Delaney who squared the ball for Keenan but he fired over when he should really have made it 2-0.

It was 2-0 a minute later as Elmes played the ball back to Molloy who coolly struck a second effort of the night from all of 30 yards into the bottom corner past a well beaten Gleeson. Graham Delaney had a very late 25 yard drive well saved by Gleeson as the home side finished strongly.

The win allows Wexford leapfrog Mervue into third position as they visitors fall back to fourth in what is turning out to be a real tight First Division campaign as teams interchange positions every week at the top end of the table.

Wexford Youths: Graham Doyle; Craig McCabe, Gary Delaney, CJ Browne, Jimmy Dermody; Shane Nolan, Eric Molloy, Brian Nolan, Dean Broaders (Graham Delaney 56), Aidan Keenan; Daryl Power (Tom Elmes 56).
Subs not used: Ian Goulding, Caolan O’Gorman, Shane Clarke, Brandan O’Callaghan (GK).

Booked: Aiden Keenan (32), Gary Delaney (45).

Mervue United: Conor Gleeson; Paul Sinnott, Martin Conneely, Stephen Walsh, Marc Ludden; Tom King, Noel Varley, Gary Curran (Barry O’Mahoney 73), Jason Molloy; Ryan Manning, Gary Shanahan (Joe Woods 86)
Subs not used:  Kenny Farrell, Brendan Lavelle, Michael McSweeney, Ross Kenny, Conor O’Malley (GK).

Booked: Ryan Manning (43), Stephen Walsh (60).
Sent Off: Stephen Walsh (79).

Referee: Robert Harvey (Dublin).

Attendance: 141

www.extratime.ie Man of the Match: Eric Molloy (Wexford Youths).