Wexford Youths -v- Mervue United

• Conor Meagher
• Fri, May 15 2009


This Friday will see the first meeting between Wexford Youths and Galway based, Mervue in a match up of 5th versus 8th at Ferrycarrig Park with an expected 8 o’clock kick-off. The home side will be coming into the game on the back of away wins against Cork City, in the cup, Kilare County, in the league and a well earned draw away to Monaghan United – the Cup win seeing them being drawn at home to lowly Bohemians of all teams, the reigning champions of the league, in the quarter final next Tuesday. Newcomers to the Eircom League this season, Mervue have been beaten by the big guns from the league Waterford, UCD and Shels of late but claimed a respectable draw at home to Sporting last time out and will feel confidant playing Wexford after their wins earlier this season against Kildare, Longfor and Monaghan.

Wexford will be happy to find themselves at home this week after the three away games of late and courtesy of Wexfordyouthsfc.ie, Mick Wallace was quick to praise his team’s focus albeit finding it necessary to stress the importance of maintaining the high standards set recently. ‘A tough seven days on the road – away to Kildare on Saturday night, away to Cork City on Monday, away to Monaghan on Friday. Different places, different experiences, but an 88th minute goal by Denis Behan in Cork was the only goal conceded - Still lying in fifth place, we need to continue improving if we are to maintain our high position in the league table.’ Mervue will hold a test now for the home side and Wallace said how it should be a cracking game. The Galway boys are having a great season and will represent a big test for the Youths – does our league position flatter us or are we developing into a good team? Time is a great story teller’.

After last week’s late equaliser courtesy of substitute Kevin Barrett’s late strike, United will arrive in the Sunny (Windy), South-East with their heads up looking to close the gap between the two teams. Their scattered start to the season has seen them put in some good performances the last few weeks despite some of the losses to the more established teams. However, with top scorer David Golbey and goalkeeper Eoin Martin’s performances and plenty of positives mentioned on the clubs website regarding Youth players settling into the season the Galway club could see this match as a chance to test themselves and build on recent games.

Team News:
Wexford Youths - Injured Tim McGrath, Kyle Dempsey, Danny Furlong, Lee Aust, Jimmy Keohane, David Breen and Marty Kelly – Summer signing Gary Sheahan returns to the squad to add some pace to the front line, probably coming from the bench as he’s just back from a lengthy injury.

Extratime.ie prediction: Wexford 2-1. With the better form and some key players returning, the home side would edge it with the bookies but Mervue may see some distrction from them with a Cupquater final coming on Tuesday.