Report: Wexford Youths 2 - 2 Shelbourne

Wexford Youths and Shelbourne played out a trilling 2-2 draw at Ferrycarraig Park on Friday night. On two occasions Wexford took the lead, firstly with a long range effort by Garret Larkin and secondly with a Conor Sinnott free kick, but they couldn’t hold their nerve for their first league win of the season. First Anthony Flood equalised for Shelbourne and then their captain Damien Brennan made sure his team went back to the capital with a least a point.

Wexford took the lead as early as the seventh minute when Garret Larkin powered home a long range effort. Wexford had piled on the pressure as Paul Malone had a header saved by Dean Delaney after a cross from Conor Sinnott. The resulting corner was sent in by Sinnott again and after the ball had bounced around in the box the Shels defenders cleared it, but only as far as Wexford defender Larkin, whose 25 yard effort found the bottom left corner.

Wexford manager Mick Wallace had got the perfect start, but it didn’t last for long. In fact it only lasted sixty seconds. Shels tipped off and Greg O’Halloran found Mark O’Brien on the right wing. His cross was driven low across the box and Anthony Flood smacked a low, powerful shot into the bottom right corner, leaving Russell with no chance. The ball may have taken a slight touch off Larkin’s boot, but it was only minimal and Flood won’t give up the goal.

Anthony Flood was giving Wexford defender Joey Wadding a horrid time in the first 45 minutes and he was a joy to watch at times. There were plenty of chances for both sides to take the lead with Wexford captain Anthony Russell volleying just over from the edge of the box, but the best chance fell to Shels. In stoppage time in the first half, a corner from James Keddy was headed towards the goal by David Freeman, but Jason Russell made a fine save, but the best of his saves was still to come.

The second half started brightly for both teams. Shels manager Dermot Keely made a tactical switch bringing on Keith Dunne for James Chambers and it nearly paid off straight away. Anthony Flood took on the Wexford back trio and his through ball found the on rushing Dunne, who found himself one on one with Russell, but he smashed his shot high and over the bar.

Soon Shels were made to pay. In the 60th minute, Conor Sinnott won a free kick on the left hand corner of the box. Wexford’s top marks man last season stepped up to take it and after Liam O’Loughlin jumped over the ball, Sinnott curled the ball under the jumping wall and into the bottom left corner.

Wallace could sense a victory, but when his side took the lead for the second time, they seemed to sit back to much and they were eventually punished. In the 75th minute Shelbourne won a free kick 30 yards out. The ball was sent in by inspirational second half substitute Keith Dunne and Damien Brennan jumped higher than anyone in the box and sent his header into the top corner.

This game was a rollercoaster of emotions and in fairness to Shels they had the better of the chances in the last 15 minutes. None better than Anthony Flood's double chances deep in stoppage time. Flood found himself with the ball at his feet after a long ball was sent into the box. He calmly took control and took his shot quickly only to see Russell save it. He soon found the ball at his feet again, but his second effort was pushed away by the immense Russell. The ball trickled towards the goal line however and substitute Philly Hughes some how sent his shot wide of the post, when in fact it seemed easier to score.

As the full time whistle blew, both managers were left with mixed feelings. Wallace surely would have taken the point at the start of the game, but would be disappointed not to have taken all three after being in front on two occasions. Keely on the other hand, will be satisfied that his side rescued a point, but should really see it as two points dropped in the race for promotion.

Football what a beautiful game it is.

Wexford Youths: Jason Russell; Thomas Hawkins, Joey Wadding (Kyle Dempsey 65), Anto Russell, Garett Larkin; Conor Sinnott (Danny Furlong 84), Paul Malone, Marty Kelly, Liam O'Loughlin; Richie Fitzgerald (Darren Browne 84), Gavin Doyle.
Subs not used: Craig McGuire, Ricky Fox.

Shelbourne: Dean Delany; Alan Murphy, Greg O'Halloran, Damien Brennan, Robbie Hedderman; James Chambers (Keith Dunne 46), David McGill, Mark O'Brien (Alan Mulcahy 66), James Keddy; Anto Flood, David Freeman (Philly Hughes 66).
Subs not used: Fred Davis Jnr, Dean Lawrence.

Referee: Padraigh Sutton.

Attendance: 1,202