Mervue United 0 - 0 Wexford Youths

• Terry Flaherty
• Sat, Aug 22 2009


Mervue finally ended their eight game losing streak after playing out a scoreless draw with Wexford Youths and this despite having striker Neil Keane sent off after 23 minutes. In fact Mervue almost stole all three points in injury time as Mark Ludden got through on goal in the box but Packie Holden saved to deflect the ball out for a corner.

Wexford Youths had travelled to Galway for their first ever League of Ireland game in Galway at Terryland Park but despite having a man advantage for over an hour they failed to score and left with a single point.

Wexford started well as Patsy Malone headed Conor Sinnott’s corner kick just wide of Eoin Martin’s right hand post on eight minutes. They also had a few dangerous crosses delivered into the home box in the early exchanges but the Mervue rearguard dealt comfortably with them. Mervue set down their marker as Gary Traynor received the first yellow card on six minutes for an over zealous challenge on Sinnott in the middle of the park.

Dave Goldbey should have put the home team in front on 21 minutes when Kenny Farrell released him into the box but he could only shoot straight at Packie Holden. Neil Keane then got his marching orders two minutes later following a touchline challenge on Wexford right back Anto Russell, a decision which looked very harsh as most felt it was a yellow card offence at worst.

On the half hour mark Wexford keeper Holden raced from his line to collect a through ball for Goldbey and ended up outside his box with the ball. Goldbey wasted the resultant free-kick as he blasted it over the crossbar from 18 yards. A minute later Conor Sinnott shot straight at Martin at the other end.

The visitors started the second half brightly as once again Sinnott saw his effort from outside the box fly just wide on 51 minutes. Shane Dempsey then struck a brilliant low strike from all of 30 yards but Martin parried his effort to safety. At the other end Eric Browne fired a shot over Holden’s crossbar as they game improved from the first half.

Sinnott then struck a freekick from the right wing at Martin’s goal only to see it clip the top of the crossbar. Wexford came closest to breaking the deadlock in 64 minute when Jimmy Keohane header, from another excellent Sinnott’s delivery, struck the inside of the post and flew across the goal and away to safety. Mervue responded a minute later as Mark Ludden broke into the box on the left and sent a low delivery across the face of Holden’s goal but Goldbey just couldn’t get a touch on it with the goal wide open.

Gavin Doyle burst into the Mervue box on 71 minutes and drilled a shot to the near post but Martin managed to beat his effort away for a corner kick. Gary Sheehan then shot over from the edge of the box as Wexford tried to claim all three points against a determined home side.

Referee Paul Deering flashed a few more yellow cards before the end as Pat Hoban, Mark Ludden and Nicky Curran received cautions in what was definitely not a dirty game as both sides tried to play football.

Right at the end though the home team could have grabbed all three points as Mark Ludden found himself about six yards out and just Holden to beat, but the keeper blocked his shot turning it away for a corner.

In the end Mervue held on comfortably to secure a draw with a battling ten man display.

Mervue United: Eoin Martin, Nicky Curran, Kenny Farrell, Damien O’Rourke, Nigel Keady, Eric Browne, Gary Traynor, Mark Ludden, Pat Hoban, Dave Goldbey, Neill Keane. Subs not Used; Paul Danaher, Alex Lee. Rory Gaffney, Evan Connolly, Mike Tierney.

Wexford Youths: Packie Holden; Anto Russell, Paul Rossiter, David Breen, Peter White; Shane Dempsey, Jimmy Keohane, Conor Sinnott, Patsy Malone; Gary Sheahan, Gavin Doyle (Richie Fitzgerald 92 mins). Subs not used: Tiernan Rossiter, Martin Kehoe, Lee Aust

Referee: Paul Deering (Sligo)

Extratime.ie Man of the match: Conor Sinnott (Wexford) – A constant threat all night and most creative player on the pitch.