Under-15s account for U.C.D. with best display of season

WEXFORD F.C. are now six games unbeaten after their best performance of the season saw Mark Doran’s side account for U.C.D. in the SSE Airtricity League Under-15 shield in Marley Park on Saturday.

The Ferrycarrig Park boys came into stage two of the competition on a threegame unbeaten run, and they have continued that form in recent weeks as they moved to the top of the Group D round-robin table.

Much like when U.C.D. came to Gorey seven days earlier, Wexford had a gameplan that involved allowing the Dublin side possession in their own half, but the further forward they looked to come, the more the visitors chose to gently press.

Wexford also opted to go with three at the back after it was succesfully applied in the second-half last time out, as Paddy Redmond dropped into the three with the ever-dependable Darragh McGuire and the superb Dylan Casey.

For the first 20 minutes U.C.D. controlled the ball in their own half but found Wexford too tricky a nut to crack. In fact, on the counter the travelling side looked the more likely to make the breakthrough.

It therefore came as a shock when Wexford switched off from a U.C.D. corner at the start of the second quarter and they pillaged the opening goal. Having played the game at their tempo, Doran’s boys weren’t about to panic and change anything.

That faith in their performance was rewarded three minutes before the interval when Patryk Ramiasz swivelled on a bouncing ball on the edge of the box and drilled a left-foot shot high to the net.

No sooner were Wexford on level terms than they were ahead. This time it was a fantastic Seán Fitzpatrick through ball that split the U.C.D. defence wide open, and Evan Farrell ran onto it and finished past the hosts’ ‘keeper to make it 2-1.

Harry Curtis was introduced at the break and he continued his assent with another sterling performance in the middle of midfield.

Wexford looked to pin U.C.D. back in the second-half and use wingers Fitzpatrick and Kyle Clancy, who were both winning their indiviidual battles.

It led to Wexford’s best half of football of the season. Composed goalkeeper Luke Murphy did have to make one excellent save but otherwise the visitors controlled the game.

Tyler Dunphy hit the foot of the post and the home stopper made a couple of solid saves to keep the score respectable at the end.

Wexford are on their travels again this week, as they face Cabinteely looking to solidify their push for top spot and a place in the shield semi-finals. Two games against Shelboune will remain after that clash.

Wexford F.C.: Luke Murphy; Paddy Redmond, Darragh McGuire, Dylan Casey; Kyle Clancy, James Cullen, Evan Connolly, Patryk Ramiasz, Liam Doyle, Seán Fitzpatrick; Evan Farrell. Subs. (rolling) - Seán Adam Gourley, Aaron Phelan, Harry Curtis, Tyler Dunphy, Dylan McEvoy, Kyle Rankin.