Face in the crowd: Republic of Ireland player Eddie Nolan pictured at Ozier Park during last week’s Division One Cup Final. photo: Noel Browne
Fresh from their superb away win against Shelbourne and their drubbing of Tralee Dynamos, Waterford United travelled to Ferrycarrig Park on Friday last confident of taking all three points.
But a third away defeat in four in what was arguably one of the poorest displays for several years left the Blues losing ground in the race for promotion to the Premier Division.
It was a horrendous performance by a Waterford outfit who did not appear to have the bottle for the battle.
Manager Stephen Henderson, who was bitterly disappointed with the display, will have his hands full trying to lift his players against Cork City Foras this Friday night at the RSC.
This wasn’t easy on the eye football. Far from it. Wexford funneled back seven and eight players on the odd occasion that the visitors tried to launch an attack, while the Blues had no idea how to break the home side’s stubborn defence.
The opening 45 minutes of play produced little or nothing in the way of positive football.
Blues striker Vinny Sullivan met a long kick out from goalkeeper Chris Konopka after nine minutes but he shot straight at Wexford goalkeeper Pakie Holden, a former United netminder.
Wexford’s first attempt on goal came from Shane Dempsey, a long range effort which sailed over the crossbar.
A free kick from the left taken by Dean Broaders was a source of trouble to Chris Konopka on 25 minutes but Liam Kearney, again positioned at left full-back, on hand to clear the danger.
Just before the half hour mark, Alan Carey lost the flight of the ball in the air, putting Gary Sheehan through on goal only for his effort to billow into the sidenetting when he really ought to have scored.
See The Munster Express newspaper for full match report.
