Holden hoping for more consistency

Following a hard-fought South-East derby victory over Waterford United, Wexford Youths captain Packie Holden spoke of his delight at his team sealing just their third win of a difficult campaign.

"It was a fantastic night, a great performance and we're delighted to come away with the result. We've had a few false dawns this year already, we need back-to-back performances - if anything we're consistently inconsistent. You get that with young lads but it's about time now we go on a run and have a league position that reflects the ability in the team."

Holden sat with a beaming smile, and still in his rain-sodden kit, in the RSC's media room as he lavished praise on his team-mates, including match-winner Ben Ryan. "He's [Ryan] well capable of that, he's hit a couple already this year. He has that in his locker. I thought we handled [Waterford] fairly comfortably, obviously Willie John [Kiely] went off early and it probably disrupted them a small bit."

"But Waterford are dangerous from set-pieces and they have some fine players in the wide positions, and plenty of strikers who can score goals. We defended brilliantly all night, I had very little to do and I thought our defence was outstanding. The ten outfield players were outstanding tonight."

WIth victories at a premium thus far this season for Wexford, Holden could be forgiven for savouring a precious result against his former employers, though his ultra-professional demeanour did not seem to suggest it. The former Blues 'keeper was gracious in victory and had kind words to say about the club. "It's a great night for myself, but it's more important that the team do well. I have fond memories of Waterford United and many friends down here. It's a shame to see the club struggling a small bit but they'll have their day, they're an outstanding club with outstanding fans and people around it. They'll have their day in the sun."

But there's no doubting where Holden's thoughts currently lay. He is fully focussed on skippering his young side to less treacherous waters, and his influence is clear to see.

"Any day we get a clean-sheet in this league we're delighted, they've been few and far between this year. We scored early in the game and held out fairly comfortably."

With less than a minute remaining in Friday's game, Waterford native and recent Wexford recruit, Mark Phelan made a crucial defensive header at Holden's back-post which saw the 'keeper sprint twenty yards from goal to embrace the youngster once the ball had been cleared. A moment which Holden believes demonstrates the strong camaraderie within the Wexford dressing-room.

"The spirit in the team can't be questioned. Mark made his debut there tonight and it's those small things that contributed to an outstanding victory tonight."

Wexford Youths host Finn Harps this Friday night looking to build momentum by achieving back-to-back wins for the first time this season. If the South-East side can manage a win it will be their second victory over Harps this season, having emerged 1-0 winners at Finn Park back in May