Salthill Devon 3 - 2 Wexford Youths

Salthill Devon were full value for their 3-2 win over Wexford Youths at Drom on Friday night in the Airtricity First Division. Despite the tight score-line, the home side were the better side throughout the contest.

Wexford drew first blood after just four minutes when Craig McCabe was adjudged to have nudged the ball over the line as mayhem reigned in the home six yard box following a corner. It is possible that Delaney's effort seconds earlier had actually crossed the line also as the ball ricocheted pin ball style off the bar, ground and defenders.

The home side weathered that early shock, gradually gaining a foothold in the midfield, where Graham Kelly was stamping his authority on the game - his efforts eventually earning him 'man of the match' status. It was hardly surprising then that it was Kelly himself who levelled matters after 19 minutes. Following sustained pressure the ball fell to Kelly and he calmly chipped the ball over Doyle's head.

Ten minutes later Salthill Devon took the lead through Jean Biansumba, when he calmly slotted the ball home, with the Wexford defence in disarray. Salthill were completely on top now and they went further ahead four minutes later. Again Kelly was the central figure, when initially he set up Cunningham with a magnificent pass. Cunningham was hacked down in the box and Kelly stepped up to convert the penalty.

The home team were in a very happy place now and a rout was on the cards but six minutes later they were rocked back as Dean Broaders converted a free kick from the edge of the box. Salthill hotly disputed the free kick, but Wexford now had a real lifeline from a position where they were being outplayed all over the park.

Salthill opened the second period in good spirits and they were gaining the upper hand. While the opening period was a story of goals the second half was a story of yellow cards.

First to see yellow was Wexford's Shane Nolan, after  53 mins,  for a lunging tackle, while five minutes later open war almost erupted as Willie Enubele picked up a card after becoming embroiled with the Wexford bench - referee Sherlock did well to calm things down as several players got involved. Broaders also picked up a card for his trouble here and was a very lucky boy five minutes later as he 'upskittled' Colm Horgan and inexplicably a 'stern warning' kept him on the pitch.

While Salthill always looked the better team and the more composed while one goal separated the sides anything was possible with Wexford using 'route one' as plan A at this stage. Ronan Forde and Thomas Croke each picked up yellow cards with five minutes to play as their running battle of words erupted and both could easily have seen red.

The home side survived four minutes of time added on with some ease and thoroughly deserved their win. Graham Kelly was outstanding all night and was well assisted by Mixie Harty in the middle, with debutant full back Shane O'Rourke doing very well at full back. Biansumba also had a cracking game for Salthill. Wexford offered a strong competitive approach as always, but they lacked  any real inventiveness and their lack of discipline on another day could have been disastrous.

Salthill Devon: Ronan Forde; Shane O'Rourke, Colm Horgan, Robbie Gaul, Evan Preston Kelly, Willie Enubele, Mike Harty, Graham Kelly, Jean Biansumba, Oscar Simbanda, Dan Cunningham.
Subs not used: Danny Campion, Cian Fadden,  James Keane, Timmy Molloy, Jason Murphy.

Wexford Youths: Graham Doyle; Craig McCabe,  Gary Delaney, C.J. Browne, James Dermody; Thomas Croke, Shane Nolan, Eric Molloy, Joe Mulcahy; Daryl Power, Dean Broaders.
Subs not used: Donal Shanley, Jonathan Savage, Caolan O'Gorman, Brandon O'Callaghan, Tom Elmes, Graham Delaney, Shane Clarke.

Referee: Alan Sherlock.

Attendance: 96

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Graham Kelly (Salthill Devon).