Three on the bounce for Kingdom

SSE AIRTRICITY UNDER 17 LEAGUE Kerry 2 Wexford Youths 0

KERRY made it three wins on-the-trot at Mounthawk Park on Sunday with a very impressive victory over Wexford Youths in a game that was played in very hot and humid conditions.

Kerry were never in any trouble in this game as they were comfortable and relaxed on the ball and perfected their passing game at midfield where they controlled the game. Early exchanges were reasonably close but as the play progressed Kerry began to stamp their authority on the game.

Both sides had early chances with Adham Masood shooting wide for the visitors, while link up play between Kevin Williams and Dillon Robinson set Martin Coughlan ,free but his shot from just inside the box went narrowly wide.

Coughlan had another chance five minutes later when he got on to the end of a cross but he headed wide. As they piled on the pressure Kerry went ahead in the 27th minute with a superbly engineered goal.

They won possession after a throw in and the ball was worked to Dillon Robinson in full flight and when the Wexford keeper Colum Feeney could only parry his bullet of a shot Thomas Burke was following up and hammered the ball to the back of the net from close range.

Kerry keeper Robert Osbourne was called into action five minutes later and he made a great save to deny Craig O’Reilly and down the other end Dillon Robinson sent a free kick high and over the top.

Kerry almost doubled their lead just before the break when Dillon Robinson set up Thomas Burke with a wonderful through ball but his shot for the bottom corner was brilliantly saved by the Wexford goalie Colum Feeney.

Wexford made two changes at half time with Liam Berry replacing Jason Essex, while Ciaran Paige came on for Conor Signoreilli. Both sides had free kicks in promising positions early in the second half but Adham Masood missed for Wexford while Dillon Robinson done likewise for Kerry.

Then Kerry’s John Ward picked up an injury in a tackle and had to retire and he was replaced by Paddy O’Rourke. Now Kerry were well in control of the game, but they needed a second goal to give them a cushion of safety.

They were only a whisker away from scoring in the 55th minute after good build up play Thomas Burke manufactured an audacious over the head bicycle kick from 10 yards which was only a fraction away from finding the net.

Kevin Williams made a great run from midfield getting past a couple of defenders but his finishing was not up to the mark. Then John Hayes made a run the full length of the pitch and a foul on the verge of the box resulted in a free kick in a good position to score.

Unfortunately Dillon Robinson shot did not get past the defensive wall. However, Kerry sealed the game in the 75th minute with another excellently crafted goal. Michael O’Gara delivered a fantastic over the top ball to the excellent Dillon Robinson who still had an awful lot to due but he controlled the ball delightfully turned a defender and with the goalie coming out he side footed it past him to the net with great precision.

Sub Boki Nikic had a chance to extend Kerrys leaded but his header was just over the top. Wexford had a couple of chances in added time to try and get a consolation goal, but Liam Berry was denied by a great save by Robert Osbourne, while Craig O’Reilly saw his shot from 20 yards hammering the crossbar.

It was a very good all round performance by Kerry against a disappointing Wexford side who were struggling throughout the game. Kerry are now unbeaten in five games and it is good preparation for big games that lie ahead.

They face the acid test next Saturday when they travel to Dublin to play title challengers Shamrock Rovers. They will be going into the game full of confidence and hoping they can come away with a favourable result.

After that they have just two fixtures left in their league programme with a home tie against Bray Wanderers on September 17 and they finish off the following week with an away tie against Cork City.

KERRY: David Osbourne, John Hayes, John Ward, (Paddy O’Rourke 53 mins), James Rusk, Ronan Cahill, Sheagh O’Connor, Kevin Williams, Michael O’Gara, Dillon Robinson, Martin Coughlan, Thomas Burke (Boki Nikic) 78 mins)

WEXFORD FC: Colum Feeney, Jack Gallagher, Reece Murphy, Cian Foley, Derek Barrow, Jason Essex, (Liam Berry 46 mins), Adham Masood, Conor Signorellli, Occar Smith, (Ciaran Paige 72 mins), Brandon Deady, (Jason Daly 46 mins), Craig O’Reilly

REFEREE: Anthony Morrison