WEXFORD YOUTHS unveiled their new season with a dreadful display as they were hammered by a well-drilled and organised Waterford United outfit in this opening Airtricity League Division 1 clash at the R.S.C. on Friday night last.

Wexford Youths never looked like ending their dismal record against their neighbours who were always in control, so much so that Stephen Henderson must be wondering why his charges did not add at least two more goals as they created numerous chances to allow them add to their tally.

Starting in their usual cautious way, it did not take long for it to become evident that Wexford Youths faced a daunting task. While they knocked the ball about with accuracy and confidence during the opening exchanges, Waterford United gradually assumed control as they became totally dominant in midfield.

Nobody would have dared to predict a Wexford Youths victory once the Blues began to flow. With team captain Kevin Murray commanding at the back, and Timmy Purcell and Paul McCarthy taking control in midfield, it left players like Liam Kearney, Vinny Sullivan and Willie John Kiely with some quality ball up front.

Wexford Youths did not deserve to take anything from this game. They lacked presence at the back where Anto Russell and David Breen tried valiantly to stem the tide, but their real problems were in midfield, where they lacked a holding player. Patsy Malone and Shane Dempsey tried everything to stem the flow of possession going the home side's way, but once Warren Broaders received a straight red for a two-footed tackle after 21 minutes, heads began to fall.

The Wexford side were already one goal down when Broaders was rightly punished for his lunge at the home side's captain, Kevin Murray. Referee Graham Kelly had no hesitation in brandishing a straight red. Reduced to ten players, Wexford Youths were now under siege but somehow managed to hold out to the interval.

Both sides seemed to relish the battle through the opening phases of play, with Danny Furlong and Gary Sheahan looking sprightly up front for Wexford Youths. Packie Holden did well to keep out a Kevin Waters effort after just three minutes, but then came a moment of magic from the home side five minutes later.

Timmy Purcell, having won the ball just inside his own half, made some ground before sending a delightful ball through to Vinny Sullivan, who carried on and rounded 'keeper Holden to slip the ball into an empty net. The Youths escaped from another couple of threatening attacks before Shane Dempsey blasted over the top after eleven minutes.

Waterford United were beginning to apply real pressure, with a Timmy Purcell effort on goal taking a wicked deflection of David Breen, but 'keeper Holden managed to keep the ball out. While Wexford Youths put some fine passages of play together over the following five minutes, they never threatened the home side's goal.

Then came Warren Broaders' sending off, leaving ten-man Wexford Youths with a real mountain to climb. Dean Broaders dropped back into a defensive role with Gary Sheahan been pulled out to midfield, leaving Danny Furlong to plough a lone furrow up front.

It took a fine save from Holden to keep out a Willie John Kiely effort in the 29th minute, while shortly after a low Kiely cross deflected off the boot of Dean Broaders, just going over the crossbar for a fruitless corner.

Wexford had a chance after 30 minutes but Danny Furlong failed to control Gary Sheahan's low cross in front of goal with a real scoring chance in front of him. It was now all Waterford, with Kevin Murray shooting into the side-netting, while a despairing David Breen tackle denied Willie John Kiely as the home side took a 1-0 lead in at the interval.

Wexford Youths would have been happy to have been just one goal down, but Waterford United returned with an extra tempo to their game, as they assumed total control

It was so different after the break, with Liam Kearney and Timmy Purcell tearing the Wexford Youths apart. They had to wait until the 54th minute for their second goal. Aidan McCann completely mistimed his challenge for the ball, leaving Willie John Kiely in the clear to cut in from the wing and easily beat Holden at his near post with a superb finish.

Minutes later Kiely shot over when he should have scored, while Dean Broaders deflected a Kearney cross just outside the right-hand post for a corner that Murray headed over the top.

Wexford Youths were winning little possession in midfied as their game disintegrated. There was no cohesion to their play which had become quite scrappy, while the home side drilled the ball around with speed and accuracy.

After 71 minutes Waterford made it 3-0. Substitute David Grinnell turned McCann who brought him down, leaving Alan Carey to crash home the resulting penalty.

It was damage limitation for Wexford Youths at this stage. Jimmy Keohane sent a header over the top, while close to the finish Gary Dunphy saw a thundering 30metre shot rebound off the crossbar before being cleared to safety.

On the evidence of this showing, Wexford Youths could be in for a long and difficult season.

Wexford Youths: Packie Holden, Anto Russell, David Breen, Anthony Wolfe, Warren Broaders, Patsy Malone, Dean Broaders, Shane Dempsey, Danny Furlong, Gary Sheahan, Jimmy Keohane. SUBS: Aidan McCann for Wolfe (36); Chris Kenny for Malone (77); Lee Aust for Furlong (86). Not used: John Byrne, Pa Doyle.

Waterford United: Chris Konopka, Alan Carey, John Hayes, Kevin Murray, Kevin Waters, Timmy Purcell, Seamus Long, Paul McCarthy, Liam Kearney, Vinny Sullivan, Willie John Kiely. SUBS: Gareth Cambridge for Purcell (66); David Grinnell for Kiely (66); Gary Dunphy for Long (8). Not used: James O'Sullivan, Paul Carey. Referee: Graham Kelly (Cork).

If there are any sporting organisations interested in providing ballboys or ballgirls for the upcoming Wexford Youths home games, please contact Simon Aust, Event Controller, on 086-6070518.

- BRENDAN FURLONG