Cobh

Close and entertaining game shaded by the Youths in Ferrycarrig tonight but there wasn't much in it. Youths made four changes from last week with Ryan, Lasty, Shane D. and Eric starting and went with Graham, Ryan, Killian, Lasty, Jimmy, Ben, Peter, Eric, Shane D., and with Rocks alongside Danny up front. Cobh began the better and had a shot deflected off Killian in the first minute for a corner. Cobh followed this with a few crosses and corners but got nothing really on target. Wexford then started to get into the game and after fifteen won a corner. This was won at the far post by Rocks whose header was knocked off the line but straight to Eric who drilled it home into the top right corner for 1-0. Ten later, Ryan got a yellow for a tackle and then, a minute later, a Cobh free-kick from forty yards out was misjudged by Graham who got caught underneath and could only get a fingertip to it as it sailed into the net for 1-1. On the half-hour, Graham had to scramble to watch a Cobh effort hit the outside of the post and wide. Wexford then nearly scored from another corner due to good delivery but it was blocked on the line to leave an even first period 1-1 at half-time. Compared to last week, Wexford were definitely playing more direct with the impressive Rocks winning everything in the air against the Cobh central defenders.

Second half began with Shane Keegan making a number of positional changes with Peter moving to right-back, Jimmy on left side of midfield, Ryan to left-full and Eric wide right and immediately looked a better side with more of the team looking comfortable in their positions. As a result, Wexford largely dominated the second period until the last ten when Cobh impressed looking for a second equaliser. With fifteen gone in the second half, a flick on by Rocks put Jimmy free down the left and his cross was met by Eric but went just wide. Two minutes later, Rocks got a yellow for a tackle. Cobh then had a long-range free-kick which hit the outside of the post and wide and, at the other end of the pitch, Danny had a header from a corner cleared off the line. On 65 minutes, a fine pass by Rocks put Jimmy clear again down the left and his cross found Danny in the box who turned and got it home despite a hand by Hallahan in the Cobh goal who couldn't keep it out. Welcome goal for Danny whose game looked like it needed a goal. However, Cobh then went up the pitch and had a shot deflected just the other side of the post with Graham stuck on the other side of the goal. Danny's confidence was restored with his goal and he immediately looked more lively and had a shot from the right lifted just over the bar and then had a neat volley just wide. With 12 to go, Goldsmith came on for Cobh and Shane Nolan and Deano for Ryan Delaney and Ben Ryan. On 82, Frahill got a yellow for Cobh for a tackle on Deano. However, Wexford didn't look too composed in the last ten as Cobh came forward and, with two minutes to go, Kenny for Cobh was sent free down the right and his effort was goal-bound but blocked by Graham with a strong left hand low down. Cobh then finished with a couple of corners and free kicks but delivery wasn't great and game finished with 2-1 scoreline to the home side and a much-needed three points.

Best for Wexford were Rocks who, with better service than usual, won everything in the air but Wexford didn't capitalise as they should have. Down the left, Ryan and Jimmy also worked very well together and got good delivery in from that side while Shane Dunne was the best in midfield with his tireless work-rate. Good also to see Wexford not over-using the ball across the back four. For Cobh, Kenny and Deady looked useful down the wings where they looked strongest going forward. 2-1 at full-time with about 220 at the match although a lot seemed to be there for the half-time entertainment with two kids' matches on the pitch during the break.