Mervue United 4 - 1 Wexford Youths

Mervue United moved back to within a point of leaders Longford Town with a convincing 4-1 win over Wexford Youths at Fahy’s Field on Friday night as three goals in a clinical eight minute second half spell secured all three points.

After a scoreless first half the home side looked the more likely side to break the deadlock, but some wayward shooting let them down as the visitors managed to get to the interval still in the game and scoreless.

Johnny Glynn’s side showed their attacking intent straight from the tip off as youngster Ryan Manning flashed a shot wide of Graham Doyle’s post after just twenty seconds.  Manning and Benny Lavelle then set up a shooting chance for Noel Varley but he dragged his shot wide of Doyle's right hand post after three minutes.

On six minutes Manning turned quickly on edge of the box but fired his shot, once again, wide of the far post. On the quarter hour mark an excellent low corner from Jason Molloy was dummied by Varley for Gary Curran to drive his effort wide of the mark as the home side couldn’t find the target.

Wexford finally tested Brian O’Donoghue, who had an easy return to action having only touched the ball twice in the opening 17 minutes, until he had to be alert to save at his near post from a Glen Hawe header.

Manning and Tom King linked up well on the right of the box before King cut in past two defenders but once again the final effort flashed past Doyle’s left hand post. Varley then headed another Molloy corner wide when left unmarked in the box on 27 minutes.

The best opportunity arrive ten minutes before the break after King and Manning combined well on right of box before Manning set up Lavelle but the striker totally miskicked in front of goals and the chance was lost.

After that scoreless opening period the home team finally found the target just six minutes into the second period. Manning was fouled just outside the box and Curran picked out centre half Stephen Walsh at the back post and his downward header was finally on target and more importantly in the net for 1-0.

Lavelle headed wide following another Molloy delivery from the left but should have left the ball for young Manning who was in a great position behind him on 66 minutes. Five minutes later and Molloy’s ball set up another shooting chance for Lavelle but he fired across Doyle and just past the far post.

Wexford got themselves level on 73 minutes after the home side failed to clear a corner and Shane Nolan pounced to fire a low effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Mervue responded immediately with Lavelle shooting over from a good position, while Molloy did the same following great work from King down the right before they struck three times in an eight minute spell to claim victory.

King's cross into the box was adjudged to have been handled by Thomas Croke and referee Rhona Daly who had no hesitation in pointing to the spot with eleven minutes remaining. Mervue had missed both the penalties previously awarded to them this season and the experienced Gary Curran assumed responsibility and coolly slotted into the bottom corner past Doyle who did guess correctly but couldn’t prevent the score. Mervue quickly doubled that lead as sub Gary Shanahan finished past Doyle from another King right wing ball on 82 minutes for his first goal for his new club.

Varley made sure of the win three minutes from time after his initial effort was saved by Doyle but he made no mistake from the loose ball for his second goal of the season and a 4-1 scoreline. CJ Browne was denied in injury time by a smart O’Donoghue save, while a quick break from Manning saw him cross for Shanahan but the striker couldn’t apply the required touch that would have made it 5-1 in front of an open goal.

Footnote: Best wishes to Wexford’s CJ Browne who suffered a head injury and had to receive medical treatment after the game for concussion.

Mervue United: Brian O’Donoghue; Joe Woods, Michael McSweeney, Stephen Walsh, Gary Kelly; Tom King (Alex Lee 90), Gary Curran, Noel Varley, Jason Molloy (Kenny Farrell 89); Ryan Manning, Brendan Lavelle (Gary Shanahan 77).
Subs not used: Shane Keogh, Ross Kenny, Oscar Sibanda, Peter Healy (GK)

Booked: Jason Molloy (79).

Wexford Youths: Graham Doyle; Brian Nolan, Shaun Corcoran, Jamie Carr, CJ Browne; Dean Broaders, Eric Molloy (Joey Mulcahy 60), Thomas Croke, Aidan Keenan; Shane Nolan (Craig McCabe 85), Glen Hawe (Daryl Power 60).
Subs not used: Shane Clarke, James Dermody, Caolan O’Gorman, Gary Delaney.

Booked: None.

Referee: Rhona Daly.

Attendance: 211

Extratime.ie Man of the Match – Jason Molloy (Mervue Utd) – Lively all night and delivered some excellent balls throughout the game.