Waterford FC brought the curtain down on their pre-season games at the RSC on Saturday and it was a case of third time lucky for Kevin Sheedy's charges.
Having drawn with Treaty United and after a three goal loss to Cork City they came out on top against hard working Wexford team who made the home side work hard for the victory.
The Waterford side showed four changes from the Cork City match the previous Saturday. Brian Murphy replaced Matthew Connor in goal. Jamie Mascoll made his debut and Jack Stafford was the player to miss out.
Katlego Mashigo also made his debut and Adam O'Reilly sat on the bench. Prince Mutswunguma replaced John Martin up front. James Waite crossed to Mutswunguma in the opening minute but the latte struck the upright from 6 yards range.
Kyle Robinson, the impressive Wexford striker headed over the crossbar on 20 minutes after he met a left wing cross from Alex O'Hanlon and one minute latter Robinson tried his luck with a cheeky lob from 30 yards but again the ball went over Brian Murphy's crossbar.
Two minutes later Katlego Mashigo brought a brilliant save from the Wexford goalkeeper Jimmy Corcoran. The only goal of the game arrived on 33 minutes.
Jamie Mascoll played the ball down the left flank to Cian Kavanagh who crossed deep into the six yards box.
James Waite failed to connect with the ball in front of goal but Tunmise Sobowale was perfectly placed at the back post to score from close range.
The Waterford defender Kyle Ferguson picked up a yellow card after 40 minutes for a foul on Kyle Robinson just outside the penalty area. Conor Crowley hover was just off target with the resultant free-kick.
At the other end two minutes latter Cian Kavanagh struck the Wexford upright with a snap shot from the left.
James Carroll had a header taken off the line by Jamie Mascoll four minutes after the change of ends as Wexford went in search of an equaliser.
John Martin, one of the five second half Waterford substitutes was just off target from 16 yards with ten minutes remaining and in the last minute the Blues defender Cameron Evans had a header taken off the line by Evan Farrell.
Playing a 4-4-2 formation this was a much improved display by a Waterford team who will now head to Drogheda on Friday for their first game of the new Premier League campaign.
Waterford FC, Brian Murphy, Niall O'Keeffe, Cameron Evans, Kyle Ferguson, Jamie Mascoll, Tunmise Sopbowale, Oscar Brennan, Katlego Mashigo, Prince Mutswunguma, Cian Kavanagh, James Waite.
Second half substitutes. John Martin, Alex Phelan, Jack Stafford, Adam O'Reilly, Trialist A.
Wexford FC. Jimmy Corcoran, Karl Fitzsimons, Alex O'Hanlon, Paul Cleary, James Carroll, Luke Turner, Karl Manahan, Conor Crowley, Kyle Robinson, Paul Fox, Harry Groome.
Second half substitutes. Tom Murphy, Trialist A, Jack Larkin, Jack Connolly, Success Edogun, Dan Dobbin, Evan Farrell, Ayman Yousif.
Referee. David Keller. Assistants. Trevor Cotter and Eoin Harte.
The Blues commence their Airtricity League Premier Division campaign next Friday night with an away tie against Drogheda United.
The Louth outfit won the first Division last season and will be keen to make a good start.
Kick-off at Head in the Game Park is at 5:45pm and WLR will broadcast the game live thanks to McConnell's Toyota, Waterford with commentary team, Ray Scott and Matt Keane. (Reporting courtesy of Matt Keane)
