SSE AIRTRICITY FIRST DIVISION SERIES 5 Blues dominate local derby
SOCCER Waterford win by two goals as Wexford stay in last spot
WEXFORD F.C. locked horns with their new-look south-east neighbours for the first of four clashes in the SSE Airtricity First Division in the R.S.C. on Saturday, and they were left with a dose of the blues as Waterford F.C. generally bossed the exchanges and were full value for their 2-0 victory.
Visiting striker Lee Duffy did test rival netminder Ian McLoughlin at his near post a couple of times in the second-half, but in truth the home side were dominant for the most part and are now sitting pretty on top of the table, ahead of U.C.D. on goal difference.
That’s in stark contrast to the Ferrycarrig Park crew who find themselves rooted to the bottom for the third week running, still seeking a first win of the league campaign after five fruitless attempts.
They were largely undone in this encounter by the complete central defensive dominance of Waterford’s commanding pair, exCork City stalwart Kenny Browne and team captain Patrick McClean, whose international brother, James, was special guest at a game watched by a healthy 1,647 spectators.
Indeed, it was a poignant occasion, as the Waterford leader along with front man David McDaid were both former colleagues of Derry City captain Ryan McBride, whose sudden death has stunned the football world.
Both men led the teams out wearing the red and white of their former club with number 5 adorned on the back, and the jerseys were then placed on the field before players and officials gathered at the centre circle to observe a minute’s silence. The crowd then followed the example set in the Aviva Stadium one night earlier with a sustained burst of applause on the five-minute mark.
A number of players on both sides were returning to their former abode, as Wexford featured an ex-Waterford duo in Andrew O’Connor and Thomas Croke, along with young Eoin Porter who came off the bench for his first action of the campaign.
Substitute netminder Corey Chambers was also with our near neighbours for a spell last season, while Waterford had three former Wexford players on the bench in Conor Whittle, who made a late appearance, Gary Delaney and Matthew Connor.
There was a full 90 minutes too for ex-North End United man Robin Dempsey at right-back, and he was a key component of that very strong defence where he will be learning from the best with Browne and McClean in close proximity.
Wexford showed two changes from the side which drew with U.C.D. eight days earlier, with Adam Hanlon preferred to Liam Donnelly on the right wing while Lee Duffy replaced Craig Hayes as the lone striker.
Duffy was lucky to escape without a card for a strong early tackle on Anthony McAlavey, with the game devoid of any early chances as lively midfielder Tom Smith couldn’t keep an early shot down for Waterford.
Adam Hanlon forced the first of the game’s twelve corners (six apiece) in the ninth minute, but it inadvertently led to the opening goal at the other end.
Andrew O’Connor’s delivery from the right was headed clear by Patrick McClean, and the ball rebounded unkindly from a Wexford viewpoint after Ricky Fox went in for a full-blooded challenge.
The breakaway from Waterford was swift, and it ended with David McDaid slipping the ball through for another experienced former Cork City regular, Mark O’Sullivan, to slot it past Graham Doyle for his opening goal of the campaign.
With their tails up and the home support in good spirits, the blues sought to build on that early boost and forced a couple of corners, but neither amounted to anything as a back flick by McDaid was dealt with easily by Doyle.
Lee Duffy managed to get a shot on target at the other end but it didn’t trouble netminder McLoughlin, while another effort from the number nine in the 21st minute was blocked after Seán Hurley got his head on a long free-kick from vice-captain Craig McCabe to the left of the box.
Full-back Andrew O’Connor cut out a dangerous cross from Derek Daly before directing a set-piece into the grateful arms of McLoughlin.
Neither side created a worthwhile opening for the remainder of the half, although Waterford looked comfortable on the ball and there was simply no way past that defensive wall manned by Browne and McClean who were formidable in the air and on the ground.
Only Kenny McEvoy managed to get a shot in target in the last 15 minutes of the half, and that was no trouble to Graham Doyle.
Lee Duffy earned the second Wexford corner which was taken from the left by Shane Dunne, but goalkeeper Ian McLoughlin fisted it out for a throw on the far side of the field.
The visitors at least resumed on a positive note, securing a freekick and two corners early on but failing to test the netminder.
Kenny Browne collected the game’s first yellow card in the 53rd minute, with Shane Dunne’s subsequent set-piece deflecting off a defender’s head into the grateful arms of the goalie.
Dunne was also booked for his troubles before David McDaid didn’t get hold of his shot from a cross by Kenny McEvoy who always looked threatening when in possession.
The pressure mounted on Wexford as Waterford forced three corners in quick succession, but all were dealt with before Mark O’Sullivan displayed nice control from a long ball by Anthony McAlavey before shooting over the bar.
However, he only had to wait just over 60 seconds for his next chance, and when it arrived he made no mistake in the 66th minute. McEvoy hung an inch-perfect cross in the air from the right, with O’Sullivan ideally positioned to guide it firmly past Graham Doyle with a strong header.
That was game, set and match in effect for Waterford, because their rivals simply weren’t creating enough openings to be likely to pull back one goal, let alone two.
Good Counsel student Eoin Porter came on for Seán Hurley and received generous applause from the Waterford supporters in recognition of his time spent with their under-age teams.
Indeed, the home fans were very sporting in their outlook as they also acknowledged ex-player and local lad Thomas Croke when he made way for Liam Donnelly.
David McDaid embarked on a strong run in the 72nd minute but couldn’t keep his shot down, while a speculative long-ranger from Shane Dunne lacked the power to cause Waterford any concern.
Lee Duffy did test Ian McLoughlin with a strong shot to his near post which the netminder turned around the post for a corner, but Dunne’s delivery was too long.
Only the presence of Craig McCabe to apply some pressure prevented McDaid from getting a shot on target in the 82nd minute after strong work by the energetic and creative Tom Smith - later named man of the match - and double goalscorer O’Sullivan.
Lee Duffy was annoyed with himself after failing to make the most of a neat ball from Eoin Porter, but he wasn’t too far away from netting a consolation in the 89th minute.
This time he tested McLoughlin from the opposite side, the right rather than the left, but again at the ’keeper’s near post.
The corner was cleared, but there was another chance for substitute Craig Hayes in the first of the three added minutes announced. Craig McCabe’s long ball bounced into his path in the box, but he couldn’t keep his header down.
These teams will lock horns again, although with plentiful changes likely from both, in the re-arranged EA Sports Cup first round tie in Ferrycarrig Park on Tuesday, April 4, at 8 p.m.
First up though for Wexford will be their second trip of 2017 to Tolka Park on Friday to face Shelbourne in the league at 7.45 p.m., having lost their Leinster Senior Cup opener there on a 4-2 scoreline.
It’s interesting to note that the two teams relegated from the Premier Division last term, Wexford and Longford Town, are currently propping up the table.
Shels are four points above Damian Locke’s side who need to collect that first victory as soon as possible, with a gap of eight already between them and the two front-runners.
Wexford F.C.: Graham Doyle (capt.); Ricky Fox, Craig McCabe, Ross Kenny, Andrew O’Connor; Adam Hanlon, Thomas Croke, Shane Dunne, Craig Wall, Seán Hurley; Lee Duffy. Subs. - Eoin Porter for Hurley (69), Craig Hayes for Croke (78), Liam Donnelly for Hanlon (86), also Corey Chambers, Owen McCormack, Seán Eve, Conor Sutton.
Waterford F.C.: Ian McLoughlin; Robin Dempsey, Kenny Browne, Patrick McClean (capt.), Shane O’Connor; Kenny McEvoy, Tom Smith, Anthony McAlavey, Derek Daly; David McDaid, Mark O’Sullivan. Subs. - Garry Comerford for McAlavey (74), Dean O’Halloran for Daly (88), Conor Whittle for McDaid (90+2), also Gary Delaney, Dean Walsh, Jake Evans, Matthew Connor.
Referee: Alan Carey (Dublin). FIRST DIVISION TABLE
P W D L F A Pt Waterford FC 5 3 1 1 9 3 10 UCD 53118 3 10 Cabinteely FC 5 3 0 2 8 59 Cobh Rblers 5 2 2 1 11 8 8 Shelbourne 51317 86 Athlone Town 5 2 0 3 5 13 6 Longford Tn 51134 74 Wexford FC 50233 82