Wexford Youths 2 - 1 Longford Town
Credit:
Cold weather quickly turned to rain and wind Friday night as Wexford Youths welcomed Longford Town to Ferrcarrig Park Friday night. The home side ran out 2-1 winners thanks to goals in each half from Gavin Doyle and David Miller. Town had equalised through Brian McCarthy half way through the second period, but were doomed by centre half Jim Sheridan’s straight red on 73 minutes.
The home side took the lead after just four minutes when Conor Sinnott’s shot from the edge of the box was dropped by Murphy in the away goal allowing the on rushing Gavin Doyle to smash home the rebound.
With the wind driving them on Wexford almost scored a second goal ten minutes in as Murphy stretched to tip over a flighted, curling free from 30 yards by Youths captain Conor Sinnott. Doyle and Sinnott then found chances coming their way, along with Ritchie Fitzgerald as the half drew to a close. Longford’s only reply to a Wexford controlled first half came from a well worked free taken by Jason McCartney which Derek Glynn controlled well on his chest before firing wide.
The second half started with Longford on the front foot as they played with the wind, and their emergence turned into a goal almost halfway through. A Jason McCartney corner wasn’t cleared by Wexford and fell to defender Brian McCarthy whose powerful, sliced shot rose into the top corner to draw the game.
Wexford responded, and went ahead as David Miller’s cross-come-shot crept in at the near post after Conor Sinnott’s quick free set him away. The away defence were enraged but the keeper had clearly stumbled back across the line with the ball. Jim Sheridan's choice verbal reaction to the ref earned him a straight red card. Town tried in vain to pile forward for an equaliser but a rampant Wexford countered well and could have scored more through Sinnott, Doyle and sub Kyle Dempsey before the final whistle.
Wexford Youths: Packie Holden; Conor Sinnott (c), David Miller, Anto Russell, David Breen; Tim McGrath, Keith Kearney, Patsy Malone, Marty Kelly (Kyle Dempsey ); Gavin Doyle, Ritchie Fitzgerald (Shane Dempsey 73).
Subs not used: Gareth McCurtin, Darren Broaders, Liam O'Loughlin.
Longford Town: Brendan Murphy; Ray Kenny, Jim Sheridan, Brian McCarthy, Tom King; Colin Jinks (Stephen Gough 63), Carmine Russo (Eoin Hoare 76), Gary Curran, Jason McCartney; Derek Glynn, Liam Lynch.
Subs not used: Colm Nicholson (gk), Michael Lee, Darragh Concannon.
Sent Off: Sheridan ().
Referee: Padraigh Sutton
Attendance: 462
Extratime Man of the Match: Conor Sinnott (Wexford Youths) - he kept Wexford calm and always looked like setting something up for the home side.
