Cobh Ramblers

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It is hoped to have LOI legend, Graham Doyle, with 151 consecutive LOI appearances for Wexford, on tonight's audio commentary on the match against Cobh.

www.mixlr.com/wexfordfc

[ForzaForth]

Wexford will be disappointed not to have got something out of a keenly contested game in Ferrycarrig tonight, made even more interesting by a refereeing performance from Andrew Mullally that makes you wonder if you're both looking at the same game. Wexford stuck with their 3-5-2 formation with Corey in goal, a back three of Craig McCabe, Ross and Owen, a midfield five of Ricky, Duxey, Craig Wall, Eoin, Sean and with Craig Hayes and Adam Hanlon up front. Wexford started very poorly and took a long time to get going with passes going astray far too regularly. In contrast, Cobh started brightly and created a number of chances early on. After five minutes, the Cobh right-winger had a good chance to get a shot away but delayed far too long. On ten minutes, Corey Chambers in the Wexford goal stretched acrobatically to push away a looping Cobh header which was going into the top right corner. This was followed by a card for Craig Wall for a tackle. On the quarter-hour, Corey did really well to push away a Cobh header but referee Andrew Mullally also gave a penalty for a challenge on the Cobh forward. The peno wasn't brilliantly taken, however, and Corey went the right way to push the effort from the spot away for a corner. On 25 minutes, Wexford made virtually their first visit to the Cobh penalty box. It resulted in a long throw by Craig McCabe which wasn't cleared well and it fell invitingly on the half volley to Wexford's Adam Hanlon who gave Paul Hunt no chance for a 1-0 lead to the home side. Wexford - one chance and one goal. Cobh were still impressive going forward and a Cobh header by the excellent Whelan was deflected unknowingly by a Wexford defender a foot wide of the Wexford post. On the half hour, Whelan for Cobh had another free header which hit the shoulder of Craig McCabe although he didn't know much about it. The resulting corner was only partially cleared by the Wexford defence and the resulting Cobh effort on goal by McSweeney was deflected past Corey Chambers for 1-1 and a deserved equaliser for Cobh. Two minutes later, however, Wexford's Adam Hanlon ran at the last defender for Cobh and clearly got taken down but ref Mullally inexplicably gave a yellow for simulation. Virtually the whole Wexford crowd in the stand were shocked by the decision. 1-1 at half-time and Wexford had slowly come into the game.

[ForzaForth]

Wexford looked the better side for much of the second half where Cobh looked vulnerable when the ball was put in the air into their box. On 48 minutes, Cobh's McCarthy got a yellow for a tackle on Wexford's Sean Hurley and Wexford were very close to forcing the ball home from the resulting free-kick. On 50 minutes, Wexford did have the ball in the net following a long throw by Craig McCabe but Mullally gave a free out to the Ramblers. Paul Hunt then dropped the ball under pressure to give Wexford a corner and later Wexford's Eoin Porter had a free header from another corner but didn't make clean contact. Cobh followed with a good move down the left wing but couldn't finish right on the hour mark. On 75 minutes, Cobh won a corner and this was planted home with a free header for Whelan of Cobh at the far post to put the away side 2-1 up. Wexford applied a lot of pressure for the remainder of the match but couldn't get the equaliser and it finished 2-1 to Cobh at full-time. Late subs for Wexford were Danny Doyle, Adam Slater and John McKeown.

Best for Wexford after a decent performance were Adam Hanlon in particular, Craig Wall and the back three of Craig McCabe, Ross Kenny and Owen McCormack while Corey Chambers again impressed between the sticks. Looked to be nearly 400 at the game including approx. 80 young players from Highview Athletic of Graiguenamanagh organised by ex-Wexford player, Dean Broaders.