Mervue United 0-1 Wexford Youths

• Terry Flaherty
• Sat, Mar 20 2010


Wexford Youths recorded their first win of the season as they overcame a stubborn ten man Mervue United side in Terryland Park on Friday night. With only one goal scored in their three meetings last season, Wexford repeated their win of last season in the two clubs first ever meeting.

The first half was a forgettable affair with the only talking point the rather harsh sending off of Mervue left back Darren Young following a tackle on Shane Dempsey, which warranted a yellow card rather than the straight red brandished by ref Padraig Sutton.

The first effort of note was an Eric Browne cross cum shot that almost caught out Packie Holden, but he managed to get back on his line to gather the ball on 11 minutes. The only shot on target was a deflected Enda Curran effort after 37 minutes which ended up in the arms of Holden.

The second half was a much better affair as both sides created plenty of chances as the game finally came to life. Five minutes in the lively Jimmy Keohane released his strike partner Danny Furlong into the box with his low effort beating Hanley but just past the right hand post and wide.

On 55 minutes Enda Curran got away down the left flank and put in a very dangerous cross that Holden missed and which struck Anto Russell before he cleared for a corner under pressure from Rory Gaffney with the home team appealing for a hand ball. Keohane crossed to Furlong four minutes later but his cheeky back heel was straight into hands of Hanley from close range.

Mervue almost took the lead on 61 minutes after Mike Tierney’s volley from the corner of the box rattled the visitor’s woodwork after the ball dropped to him from a Wexford clearance. Sub Dan Cunningham’s good ball forward six minutes later released fellow sub Gaffney into box and his turn and shot was well saved once again by Holden.

At the other end Warren Broaders right wing cross to the back post was headed badly wide by Furlong. A cross from the opposite wing on 73 minutes from Anto Russell saw Keohane steal in at the back post and shoot through Hanley’s legs for what was the only goal of the game.

The home side never gave up and almost got themselves level with six minutes remaining as Ollie Keogh saw his drive from the edge of the box brilliantly palmed away by Holden. The hosts continued to put pressure on the visitors and with three minutes of injury time they forced three successive corners with Kevin Crehan’s effort blocked at his near post by Holden as he denied Mervue once again.

Mervue United: Ger Hanley; Martin Conneely (Noel Varley 21 mins injured), Eric Browne, Darren Young, Damien O’Rourke; Kevin Crehan, Mike Tierney, Ollie Keogh, Gerry Burke (Dan Cunningham 51 mins); Enda Curran, David O’Dowd (Rory Gaffney 46mins)
Subs not used: Evan Connolly and Padraig Lally (GK).

Wexford Youths: Packie Holden, Chris Kenny, Anto Russell, Anthony Wolfe, Patsy Malone, Shane Dempsey, Dean Broaders, Shane Sinnott (Aidan McCann 63 mins), Danny Furlong, Jimmy Keohane, Warren Broaders.
Subs not used: John Byrne, James Cogley, Lee Aust and Patrick Doyle (GK).

Referee: Padraig Sutton (Clare)

Booked –Mike Tierney (30 mins), Enda Curran (48 mins) – Mervue Utd

Booked – Shane Sinnott (38 mins), Patsy Malone (66 mins), Anto Russell (91 mins) – Wexford Youths.

Sent Off – Darren Young (26 mins)

Attendance –150 approx Extratime.ie Man of the Match – Packie Holden (Wexford Youths) – Ensured his side collected their first win of the season with some smart saves throughout the second half.