Kearney downs Youths in derby
WEXFORD YOUTHS dropped into the bottom half of the table as the result of this single goal defeat to neighbours Waterford United in their Airtricity Division 1 clash at the RSC on Friday night last.
For so long it looked as if Wexford Youths' patience had paid off as they played their way through the first 45 minutes with composure and skill.
Having lost their way over the past two weeks with successive defeats, Wexford Youths badly needed a result to keep them in the top half of the table. It was exactly what they set out to achieve and the manner in which they had played their way through the opening phases of the game suggested they were capable of upsetting a home side determined for three points to keep them in the promotion race.
It took some timely interventions early on by Anto Russell, back after missing a game through suspension, and Anthony Wolfe, to deny the home side, while 'keeper Pakie Holden seemed on top of his game with safe handling of high crosses and a couple of direct shots on goal.
Shane Dempsey was impressing in midfield, testing Burns in the home goal with a couple of long-range efforts as the Youths side tried to force a breakthrough.
When it looked as if Wexford Youths had got through the first-half with a composed display which frustrated the home side, disaster struck right on the break.
The home side's Daryl Kavanagh and Vinnie Sullivan combined to pick out John Kearney on the edge of the area, and his rasping right-footed volley flew into the net, giving 'keeper Pakie Holden no chance, leaving the home side with a 1-0 interval lead.
It was the perfect finish to the half for Waterford while it was exactly what Wexford Youths did not want, to fall a goal behind at such a crucial stage, having played so well through the opening period.
It was more of the same through the second-half as Wexford Youths more than matched their opponents, but for some strange reason they were shotshy in front of goal, despite the front players, Danny Furlong and Gary Sheahan, receiving a quality ball from their midfielders.
While they had a couple of snapshots on goal, they never seriously tested home 'keeper Burns who capably dealt with the efforts.
The home side finished the game with nine men.
Full-back Michael Coady completely mistimed his tackle and received a straight red card for a foul on Shane Sinnott after 75 minutes while, ten minutes later, Wexford native, Paul Murphy, a member of last season's Oscar Traynor-winning side, received a second yellow card for a reckless tackle on Ben Ryan.
But despite their numerical advantage for the closing stage, Wexford Youths were unable to fashion an equaliser which would have given them a badly-needed boost.
Wexford Youths now will seek to return to winning ways when they entertain Shelbourne at Ferrycarrig Park on Sunday next with a 2 p.m. kick-off.
