Mervue United 3 - 0 Wexford Youths

Mervue United recorded back to back 3-0 home wins following Friday night’s convincing victory over Wexford Youths at Fahy’s Field.

A second half double from Alan Murphy and a cracking strike from Jason Molloy just before the interval secured only the home sides' second win of the season as they repeated the same result as last season’s corresponding fixture and a third 3-0 win in four meetings over Shane Keegan’s side.

Johnny Glynn’s side have struggled with injuries and suspensions in a disappointing campaign so far, but he made six changes to his side as he finally fielded an almost full strength side. Last season’s top goalscorer, Tom King started his first game in ten months, while Alan Murphy, James Casserly, Noel Varley and keeper Ronan Forde returned along with Gary Kelly from suspension.

Wexford were forced into three changes as James Scallon, Shane Dempsey returned and Eric Molloy was given his first start with Aiden Keenan suspended and CJ Browne and Shane Nolan injured.

Eric Molloy blazed an early effort over from the angle of the box before the home side should have hit the front after just three minutes. Jason Molloy created the space down the left before picking out the returning King at the back post but the rusty winger headed over from a great position.

Mervue wasted another glorious chance on 23 minutes after excellent play by Murphy and King on the right ended with the winger picking out an unmarked Pat Hoban in front of goals but the striker blasted the opportunity high and over to the relief of Wexford keeper Graham Doyle.

Gary Kelly released Jason Molloy in on the left with a good ball and as he raced into the box and past defender Mark Phelan his touch let him down as Doyle advanced and claimed the ball as it ran away from the attacker.

Molloy didn’t waste the next chance that came his way as he opened the scoring just two minutes before the break. Picking up a loose ball he advanced towards the Wexford box and unleashed a cracking curling effort that gave Doyle no chance as the ball flew into the corner.

Wexford’ Molloy headed narrowly over from a Danny Furlong corner just six minutes after the re-start, while Doyle needed two attempts to stop a well struck low drive from Murphy after Jason Molloy rolled a free-kick to the striker on 56 minutes.

Ronan Forde did well pushing away a Tom Elmes close range effort following a scramble in the Mervue box following another Furlong corner before the home side doubled their lead. King and Hoban combined on the right with the striker picking out Murphy in the box and he made no mistake heading his first of the game past Doyle on 65 minutes.

Mervue continued to force the game and more good play five minutes later created another opening. Hoban played a lovely ball to Molloy at the back post and the winger headed the ball back across the goals to Hoban who drove his effort past Doyle but into the side netting

Another great opportunity was spurned with nine minutes remaining when Murphy picked out the inrushing Molloy but he headed his effort over Doyle’s crossbar. With the visitors not offering much in the way of a comeback, the home team added a third with another good move. Murphy doubled his tally for the night as he finished off a Molloy cross from the right with a left foot strike past a hapless Doyle on 87 minutes.

A minute later and Doyle prevented Molloy doubling his tally as the keeper saved well after Marc Ludden’s long throw produced a rasping left foot strike from the winger. Sub Stephen Walsh almost made it four on the stroke of full time as he headed another cross from the right just past Doyle’s upright.

The win sees Mervue close the gap on third from bottom Finn Harps and with a few more displays like the one they produced in this game and they should have a more productive second half of the season. First they face an FAI Cup derby game with Galway city rivals, SD Galway, at Eamonn Deacy Park next Friday night, while Wexford will look to bounce back with an away trip to non-league Douglas Hall in Cork.

Mervue United: Ronan Forde; Michael McSweeney, Mike Elwood, James Casserly, Marc Ludden; Jason Molloy, Gary Kelly (Shane Keogh 90), Noel Varley, Tom King (Mike Collins 66); Alan Murphy, Pat Hoban (Stephen Walsh 84).
Subs not used: Alex Lee, Etanda Nkololo, Barry McEntee and Conor O’Malley (GK).
Booked – Mike Elwood (32).

Wexford Youths: Graham Doyle; Mark Phelan (Shane Clarke 74), James Scallon, Jamie Carr (Shaun Corcoran 92), James Dermody; Craig Wall, Eric Molloy (Chris Fennor 74), Shane Dempsey, Paul Malone; Danny Furlong, Tom Elmes.
Subs not used: Martin Keogh, Thomas Croke and John Yeates.
Booked – Shane Clarke (80), Paul Malone (94).

Referee: John Grimes (Dublin).
Attendance: 214
Extratime.ie Man of the Match:  Jason Molloy (Mervue United) – Scored a cracking first strike and was a constant threat all night.