Cobh Ramblers

[ForzaForth]

Late Wexford goal got the away side the point their game at least deserved in St. Colman's Park this afternoon. Played on an absolute glue-pot of a pitch, Wexford had the better of the game but goals were going to be hard to come by on such a difficult surface. Damian Locke was unafraid to learn the lessons of the match against Shelbourne and went with a more physical side with Graham Doyle, Ricky Fox, Ross Kenny, Owen McCormack, Andy O'Connor, Liam Donnelly, Duxey Dunne, Thomas Croke, Craig Wall, Sean Hurley and Craig Hayes up front on his own. Wexford had the better of the first half but started with an early yellow for either Duxey Dunne or Thomas Croke who were obviously joined at the hip at birth. Paul Hunt in the Cobh goal then had a mix-up with his own defender but nothing came of it before Crokey had a header over from a cross by Ricky Fox. Just after the quarter-hour, Liam Donnelly of Wexford had a good run and shot but again couldn't keep it anywhere near the target. Crokey had another great chance a few minutes later when he spooned a volley from close in over the bar. On the half hour, the referee flashed a red to either Crokey or Duxey Dunne, but it was the twin that was responsible for this tackle and, following a correction, both were now on yellows. With five to go in the half, Ross Kenny also knocked a ball over the bar from close in while on the stretch. First Cobh effort on Graham Doyle's goal came on 42 minutes when a Cobh attacker whistled a shot a yard past Graham Doyle's post. Two minutes later, Graham Doyle pushed away a Cobh snap-shot and half finished on 0-0 scoreline with Wexford having done most of the pressing.

[ForzaForth]

Wexford continued their domination at the start of the second period when Craig Hayes was put through on his left but couldn't keep it on target. Sean Hurley then had a shot a few yards wide. However, with 8 minutes gone of the second period, Cobh went ahead when a Wexford defender tried unwisely to carry the ball out of defence. It led to a free-kick about 25 yards out and Cobh's Swords curled a good free over the wall to put the home side a goal ahead. Wexford found it hard to put pressure on Paul Hunt's goal from then on and Mark Slater and Lee Duffy came on to bolster the attacking threat for Wexford. Just as Wexford seemed destined to leave with a narrow 1-0 defeat, Cobh's goalkeeper threw the ball into touch, rather than kicking it up-field, to allow treatment for a Cobh defender who had developed cramp. Wexford kept the throw-in, and the ball was eventually crossed by Duxey Dunne which enabled Lee Duffy to deflect the ball past Hunt for 1-1. Wexford applied some pressure during injury-time with two corners but game finished on 1-1 scoreline.

Best for Wexford were Andy O'Connor, Thomas Croke and Duxey Dunne and Wexford will be happy to get points on the board. 1-1 at full-time.