Wexford Youths 2 - 1 Waterford United

Wexford Youths took the spoils in the South-East derby against Waterford United in the Airtricity First Division on a bitterly cold Ferrycarrig Park on Friday night.

The game was decided in the 80^th minute of the game when Youths’ Aidan Keenan was deemed to have been struck off the ball by Blues centre-half Seamus Long. Referee Tommy Mazur had not given the penalty at the time but the linesman on the far side had flagged and Dean Broaders stepped up confidently and gave Youths back to back wins.

The Blues dominated the opening exchanges and took full advantage when Paul Quilty and Vinny Sullivan played a one-two on the edge of the area and Sullivan finished excellently past Youths netminder Graham Doyle in the 7^th minute.

Youths struggled to get into the game in the opening quarter but were almost gifted a goal when Craig Hyland dropped a cross from Glen Hawe only for John Frost to clear off the line.

In the 20^th minute Youths set off on their first meaningful attack when Shaun Corcoran played in Aidan Keenan. Keenan played a lovely reverse pass in behind Waterford’s defence where the full back neatly slotted home, a finish a striker would be proud of, to make it 1-1 at half time.

The second half was much more entertaining and Glen Hawe brought a brilliant save from Craig Hyland in the 55^th minute with low shot  from 12 yards excellently saved for a corner.

The Blues were struggling to create anything in the second half as the Youths defended well. Thomas Croke came close from a set piece for the Youths halfway through the second half with his header just over the bar.

It wasn’t until the 80^th that controversy struck when Aidan Keenan went down alleged to have been elbowed after he had missed a low cross. After a long debate between referee and linesman the decision was given to the delight of the Youths fans.

Dean Broaders stepped up and made no mistake. Seamus Long was given a straight red for the offence and the Youths held on for a crucial three points as they look to kick-start their season and as for the Blues a concerning start to the season leaves them just off the bottom of the table by virtue of goal difference.

Wexford Youths: Graham Doyle, Brian Nolan (James Dermody 40), Shaun Corcoran, Jamie Carr, CJ Browne, Thomas Croke, Glen Hawe (Coalan O'Gorman 83), Eric Molloy, Aidan Keenan, Dean Broaders.
Subs not used: Shane Clarke, Ian Goulding, Daryl Power, Graham Delaney, Brandon O Callaghan.

Waterford United: Craig Hyland, Dylan Mernagh, John Frost (Jamie Cross 46), Seamus Long, Gavin Kavanagh, Peter White, Peter Higgins, Francis Rockett (Conor Coad 68), Vinny Sullivan, Paudie Quinn (Jack Doherty 72), Paul Quilty.
Subs not used: Daragh Walshe, Aidan McGrath, Chip Sanders.

Referee: Tommy Mazur

Attendance: 457

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Aidan Keenan