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eircom National League First Division

Date	07/02/2002
Score (Blues First)	2 - 2
Venue	RSC, Waterford
Kick Off	7.30pm
Attendance	1,500
Weather	Mild but breezy
Referee	A Buttimer
Goal Scorers	Hunt, Dempsey
Cards	Yellow: Smith Red: McGeough
Pitch	Soft

After weeks without a league match Drogs came to The RSC in search of victory to keep them in second place behind Dublin City. The was one of eight crunch matches for the Blues as we need 6 wins to gain automactic promotion to the Premier Division. It was also Jimmy McGeough's first league game and first time to experience the RSC on matchday.

The game lived up to the hype as the Blues straight from the kick off went for the throats of the Drogs players and with 3 new players and 1 on loan on the pitch things looked good for the home team. We had most of the play with Dempsey and Flanagan running the show in midfield. Disaster struck early, as a long ball out of defence caught an out of sorts Frosty unaware and as the ball hit the back of his head and fell to one of the visiting forwards who thumped the ball into the net. After this we regained possession and retained the ball for long periods with Hunt working his socks off with help from Andy Myler. Podge Drew individual brillance created a shooting opportunity, and his shot from 16 yards hit the upright and bounced back into play. Noel Hunt never gave up chasing any ball throughout the first half and was rewarded late in the half when he cahsed a ball down won possession then lost it twice more, before firing a shot goalwards for a defender to turn into his own net. But again it was a individual error this time by Fennelly who mistimed his jump to catch a corner that was sent over with pace and direction, and left the ball slip out of his hands and after a goalmouth scramble, which gave Kevin O'Brein every chance to clear ended up in the back of the Blues net. At half time McGeough could be very happy with his team even though every long ball was causing his back four problems, and we would have a stron breeze in the second half.

Shane O'Connor, Wexford's number 1 Blues Fan	Dale Byrne Supports the Blues

The fans who it must be said turned up in large numbers to welcome Jimmy back to Waterford, were very optistic as the second half got under way that we could grab all three points on offer. It was that man Dempsey again who scored fro the Blues as he curled a free kick from 22 yards into the roof of the net and again the crowd responded to our hero from Wexford. After this the game got scrappy, with both teams nervous of losing this important fixture. McGeough made three changes in the second half in search of teh winner, but this had a adverse effect on his team as we seemed to lose our positive attitude. This was probably down to lack of matches over the past few weeks, and both teams seem to tire. The sending off of a Drogs player didn't help the game as McCue tightened things up at he back with the introduction of another defender. The real drama occured in the last 5 minutes when a tackle on Tony Smith sent McGeough wild and when McCue shouted something at him from the opponents dugout, Jimmy lost the rag and when bald headed for McCue and had to be restrained by 6 people before being sent to the stand along with McCue.

The Blues now have to win 6 of the last 7 games to win the automactic promotion spot otherwise 5 wins are needed for second place. With Dublin City, Drogheda, Finn Harps and The Blues fighting for the top 2 places the coming weeks will be very interesting to say the least. Limerick and Finn Harps are next up for the Blues and 6 points would be most welcome.