Devon put turbulent week behind them to record third win of season

Salthill Devon 3  Wexford Youths  2

Jason Byrne at Drom

Salthill Devon put a turbulent week behind them to secure their third win of the season thanks a comprehensive performance to put Wexford Youths to the sword at Drom on Friday night.

Key player Derek O’Brien joined the likes of Jakub Tomanica and Jamie McGlynn through the exit doors at Drom as O’Brien signed for promotion-chasing Longford Town during the week, but new faces like Dan Cunningham, Oscar Sibanda and Shane O’Rourke impressed as coach John Brennan played his new hand well to end their week on a winning note.

In a pulsating first-half, the visitors took the lead after just five minutes when a corner was whipped in by Dean Broaders and Gary Delaney’s effort came off the bar and back out to Craig McCabe, whose effort squirmed over the line.

Salthill took time to find flow, but gradually came into it and 10 minutes later a Mixie Harty free was narrowly missed by Jean Biansumba, who was unmarked in the box.

Three minutes later a long Robbie Gaul ball found new signing Sibanda, who rounded outcoming Youths goalkeeper Graham Doyle, but his shot was blocked by Delaney.

A minute later, Devon were back on level terms when Graham Kelly was unleashed and with acres of space he delightfully chipped the advancing Doyle to level the game, which was now wide open.

Wexford looked on the ropes at this stage and a minute later Kelly played a delightful ball for Sibanda who volleyed first-time only to find the side netting.

Biansumba was then played in by Cunningham on the half-hour mark, and he created space and let fly but his shot was always rising, and flashed over.

Good work from Shane O’Rourke then saw the Donegal youngster feed Sibanda on the right flank and his cross was met by the head of Cunningham, but his header was parried out for a corner by Doyle.

From the resulting Harty corner, Biansumba was at hand at the back post to tap home from close range and turn the game on its head as Devon edged into the lead.

Two minutes later, Devon found themselves 3-1 up when Cunningham was upended by McCabe in the box for a penalty which Kelly coolly slotted low to Doyle’s right.

But the first half drama wasn’t finished and with nine minutes to go until half time Joey Mulcahy tumbled rather easily after a challenge from Robbie Gaul at the edge of the box and Broaders curled his free kick beautifully into the top corner.

Unfortunately, the second-half did not live up to the entertainment of the first, as Wexford frantically searched for a goal but were constantly met by a Devon side which was intent on preserving its slender lead.

Chances were few and far between, the challenges got heavier, but at least the weather was cooling. Kelly was at the heart of all the Devon action and put in a super shift.