- Niall Farrell
- Fri, Jun 29 2012
Peter Keegan's goal in the 79th minute was the difference in Ferrycarrig Park on Friday night, as Waterford United came away with a crucial derby win over Wexford Youths.
Sean Maguire put Waterford ahead, only for Dean Broaders to level for Youths on 33 minutes. Keegan's late goal gave the Blues the win they probably deserved, buts some credit has to go to Wexford Youths as they were a match for Paul O'Brien's side for much of the match.
After a somewhat scrappy opening, Maguire fired the Blues into the lead on 22 minutes. The on-form youngster's first shot was saved well by Youths 'keeper Graham Doyle at close range, but Maguire made no mistake on the rebound.
Waterford didn't hold on to their lead for too long, indeed the goal seemed like the kick Youths needed to get into the match. They dominated possession for spells, but the game swung back and forth for the next ten minutes.
The Blues missed a clear opportunity to go two up when Keegan's glancing header fell just wide after a wind-assisted cross from deep. Wexford equalised soon afterwards, through club stalwart Broaders.
Danny Furlong stepped up to take the penalty, after Packie Holden – rushing out of his box – fouled Craig Wall. Holden was booked, but regained his composure in time to parry Furlong's low penalty to his right. Broaders rushed in and tucked the loose ball away into the bottom left corner.
Paul Phelan had another golden chance for the Blues on the stroke of half time, but the midfielder just missed out on a connection with a lofted cross at the far Wexford post. Youths began the second half brightly, passing the ball about with a bit more vigour.
Neither side was really on top for any extended amount of time though, with United probably looking the more likely to break the deadlock. Youths were able to hold them though and restricted their south eastern neighbours to half chances for much of the half.
Substitute Tom Elmes – still the top scorer in the division- looked lively once he came on for Broaders and the striker forced a good save out of Packie Holden on 74 minutes with a low dipping shot.
United still looked like the more likely side to score though, and they made good use of their best chance of the half with just over ten minutes left. Maguire was again the danger man, this time breaking through the Wexford defence to go one-on-one with Graham Doyle.
Doyle could only push Maguire's shot across his goal and Keegan was again at hand to tap the ball in and give the visitors the lead again. That gave Blues fans cause to find their voice and their team kept Youths at bay for the remainder of this keenly contested match, despite a nervy six minutes being added on at the end.
Wexford Youths: Graham Doyle; Brian Nolan; Shaun Corcoran, Jamie Carr, CJ Browne, Shane Dempsey; Dean Broaders (Tom Elmes '62), Paul Malone, Aidan Keenan, Danny Furlong (Joey Mulcahy '86), Craig Wall.
Subs Not Used: Eric Molloy, Thomas Croke, Shane Clarke, Gary Delaney, James Scallon.
Yellow Cards: Brian Nolan (19), Shane Dempsey (58).
Waterford United: Packie Holden; Craig Burns, Seamus Long, Dylan Mernagh, Paul Carey; Paul Phelan, Ben Ryan (Aidan McGrath '8]) Gary Dempsey (Conor Coad '74), Peter White; Peter Keegan (Gary Keane '82), Sean Maguire.
Subs Not Used: John Frost, Robert Hughes, Peter Higgins, David Breen.
Yellow Cards: Craig Burns (26), Packie Holden (31).
Referee: Kevin O'Regan.
Attendance: 350 (unofficial estimate).
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Sean Maguire.
