Leaders Derry City are too strong for Youths
DERRY CITY 3 WEXFORD YOUTHS 1
WEXFORD YOUTHS on their first-ever visit to the Brandywell failed to make it a winning one as leaders Derry City came from a goal down to take all three points from this Airtricity Division 1 game on Friday evening last. Having seen off Finn Harps the previous week, it looked for a period Wexford Youths were on their way to causing a shock when an early Danny Furlong strike gave them the lead.
But in Derry City they were playing one of the top teams in the division which can be seen in their points tally, as they are now ten points clear of second-placed Waterford United, having won 13 and drawn four of their 18 games played.
Mid-table Wexford Youths now trail the leaders by a whopping 20 points, which is an indication of the gulf in standards. This was particularly evident once the home side put the concession of the early goal behind them, as they controlled most of the remainder with composed football.
Wexford Youths got the perfect boost when a Danny Furlong strike from inside the area found its way to the corner of the net after just seven minutes.
It was the start they needed coming up against such an experienced outfit, but they were unable to add to their tally as the home side gradually took command, getting back level after 17 minutes through a Mark McCrystal goal when he headed home from close in past a helpless Packie Holden.
While that breakthrough brought extra pressure on Wexford Youths, the back four were managing to cope, with Anto Russell and Anthony Wolfe being particularly outstanding through this period.
However, the pressure eventually provided a breakthrough for the home side five minutes before the break, with Thomas McBride nodding home to make it 2-1 at the break.
On the resumption Wexford Youths built a couple of dangerous early attacks with both Furlong and Gary Sheahan unlucky with a couple of attempts on goal.
Wexford Youths supporters were urging their side on as they went in search of an equaliser but they were unable to restore parity despite their best efforts.
Derry City secured the points thanks to a superb 20-yard left-foot shot from Patrick McEleney.
However, Wexford Youths continued to play some attractive football, but they were unable to find a way through the Derry back four who by this stage were dictating the game.
Wexford Youths: Packie Holden, Anthony Wolfe, Anto Russell, Aidan McCann, Warren Broaders (Muzzi Mullen, 66), Gary Sheahan, Gareth McCurtain (Martin Kehoe, 84), Jimmy Keohane, Shane Dempsey, Kevin Rowe (Chris Kenny 33), Danny Furlong.
Referee: Paul McLoughlin (Monaghan).
