Cobh Ramblers (Friendly)

Lively friendly in Cobh tonight with Wexford creating lots of chances but only able to take one. Cobh also had a good first half but fell away a bit in the second. Wexford began with Graham, Craig McC, Gary, Lee, Ryan, John Peare, Hopper, Duxey, Aidan and with Danny and Spot Murphy up front. Wexford began slowly and Cobh nearly scored from their first corner and also had two further efforts on goal which went well wide. However, Wexford hit the post with their first chance of the half after a good move down the left. Spot then hit the crossbar with a header and followed it up by a turn and shot which hit the post again. On the half-hour, Graham Doyle made a good save to divert a good shot by the Cobh winger onto the top of the crossbar for a corner. Danny Furlong was then sent clear to have a run at Paul Hunt in the Cobh goal but the latter managed to push it over the crossbar for a corner. From that corner, Hunt made a wondrous save to push away a free header from a Wexford defender. 0-0 at half-time.

Conor English replaced Danny Furlong at half-time and Wexford dominated even more clearly during the second period. The goal came on 13 minutes when a long throw from Craig McCabe was flicked on by Gary Delaney where Spot Murphy won another header to put it past Paul Hunt for 1-0. Craig Wall and Speedy Whittle replaced Craig McCabe and John Peare on the hour mark. Later, Stephen Last came on in place of Lee Grace and Daryl 'Dazzler' Power for Duxey Dunne. Paul Hunt then made further good saves from Speedy and the Dazzler while Gary Delaney hit the top of the crossbar with a good curling shot. Cobh's best effort of the second half came when a Cobh defender was left free beyond the far post at a corner, but he only managed to shoot weakly wide. 1-0 at full-time.

Overall, Wexford look a very fit side coming into the beginning of the season with reports that Jason Ryan has given them a right lash. They haven't however recruited greatly since the end of last season and the question is whether the quality is there to keep outside of the bottom two. One new card up our sleeve may well be Spot Murphy who undoubtedly has the natural talent to make a real impression if he can get up to the physical standards required. 1-0 to the Youths in St. Colman's Park tonight.