- James Phelan
- Sat, Jun 07 2008
Wexford Youths and Killester United played out a dour 0-0 draw at Ferrycarraig Park on Friday night in the third round of the FAI Cup.
Wexford manger Mick Wallace will be disappointed with his team as they never turned up on the night and created hardly any clear cut chances. Now Wexford will have to travel up to Dublin for the replay, but it could have been worse for the Youths.
In the 78th minute the best chance of the game fell to Killester’s Alan Connor. A long ball down the middle by Alan Murphy caused a mix up between Stuart Lawlor and his keeper Jason Russell. Lawlor left the ball for Russell to clear, but the keeper missed the ball leaving Connor with an open goal right on the edge of the box. The Killester man got his shot off, but the bottom right post came to Wexford’s aid
Killester had more of the possession from start to finish, but it was their failure to create any chances that prevented them from going home with the win. Their manager Joseph Graydon will be so proud of his team as they really pushed Wexford all the way and made it an uncomfortable night for the Division One side.
In the first half Killester had the better of the chances with headers from Terry Corbally and Alan Connor going just over the bar. Also Kenneth Curly had a swerving volley from outside the box saved by Russell. Wexford looked jaded, but had some positive link up play from Kyle Dempsey and Danny Furlong and in the early moments of the match they combined, but Furlong's volley went just over the bar.
The second half was nearly an exact repeat of the first half as again there were few chances. It was as if both sides wanted to win, but were afraid to commit too much as they were also afraid to lose. This was how important this game was to both sides and that usually leads to a defensive minded game and that’s exactly what this game was, a battle of the defences.
Wexford missed the leadership in their midfield usually provided by their midfield general Paul Malone and Wallace and Pat Dolan will be delighted to have him back for their next match after the two week break. During the break I’m sure Wallace and Dolan will study their team’s performances of late and see what’s gone wrong, because Wexford won’t find it easy in the reply and a shock could be on the cards.
Watch this space, Graydon and Killester will fancy another crack at pulling off a giant killing cup victory.
Wexford Youths: Jason Russell; Anto Russell (c), Stuart Lawlor, Joey Wadding, Martin Kelly (Conor Wallace 63), Shane Dempsey, Johnny Flynn O’ Connor, Keith Kearney (Richie Fitzgerald 45), Danny Furlong, Kyle Dempsey (Craig McGuire 81), Paul Murphy.
Subs not used: Paul Rossiter, Ricky Fox, Gareth Wallace.
Booked: Kelly (22).
Killester United: Matthew Blich; Jason Donnery, Jason Marks, Alan Sweeney, Shane Dunne, Ian Graham, Kenneth Curly (Darren Murphy 66), Alan Murphy, Alan Connor, Terry Corbally (James McGrath 75), Sean Treacy.
Subs not used: James Kane, John Duffy, Darren Ryan, Darren Kavanagh.
Booked: Dunne (15), Murphy (62).
Referee: John McLoughlin.
Attendance: 385.
Man of the match: Jason Marks (Killester United) - The attack minded left back was full of energy and creativity and his crosses and speed was a constant torn in Wexford’s defence. Marked four different players throughout the game and did a job on all of them.
