Wexford FC v Waterford (Friendly)

Wexford completed their pre-season with a helpful 2-1 victory against a Waterford side believed to have been largely composed of their U20s. Wexford started with Paul Martin, Darragh Dunne, James Crawford, Josh Lyons, Dean Larkin, Mikie Rowe, Dobbsy, Kaylem Harnett, Zayd Abada, Jack Larkin and Ryan Kelly. Both sides played a bit rustily at the start and it was ten minutes before any decent goal chance occurred. On ten, Wexford tried to keep the ball alive down its right wing, but the ball was lost and a cross to Wexford’s far post was clipped home by a Waterford attacker to put the away side a goal to the good. It was 18 minutes before Wexford put a good move together, and some neat interplay between Dobbsy and Mikie Rowe allowed Wexford to cross low to the far post where Ryan Kelly applied a neat finish. 1-1. Wexford followed their equaliser with a good spell when Ryan Kelly’s mazy run was finished with a good effort which was tipped over the Waterford crossbar. From that corner, Mikie Rowe had a great chance with a free header but placed it wide of the post. Later, Dobbsy chested the ball down and had a shot but it went wide of the post. 1-1 at half time with Waterford having started brightly but Wexford coming more into the game as the first half progressed.

Second half saw more emphatic domination by Wexford as Paul Martin was rarely troubled in the Wexford goal. On two minutes, Wexford had a free just outside the Waterford area but it was hit at the wall. On four minutes, Kaylem had an excellent effort which was tipped over. A minute later, Dobbsy lifted over from close in following another Wexford set-piece. Just after the quarter-hour, Dobbsy had a header which hit the underside of Waterford’s crossbar but it stayed out. Kaylem then had another shot on target and Darragh Levingston and Filip Wasilewski came on for Wexford. Just after the half-hour, Mikie Rowe put Wexford ahead when he was put into lots of space down Wexford’s right and he unleashed an unstoppable effort to put Wexford ahead. Later subs for Wexford were Henry Cromack and Tariq Almasry and game finished on 2-1 scoreline for Wexford. Best for Wexford were the returning Dobbsy and Mikie Rowe who will be the key players for Wexford for the coming season. Kaylem Harnett also impressed and, even at his young age, he has a tighter turning circle, quicker feet and a vision of passing which suggests that this may a break-out season for him. Of the new players, those who impressed included Ryan Kelly and Darragh Dunne. 2-1 to Wexford at full-time.