Although Wexford probably offered more of an attacking threat than their opponents in a scoreless second half, a draw was probably a fair enough result in Ferrycarrig tonight. Wexford began with their standard formation of 3-5-2 with Corey Chambers in goal, a back three of Craig McCabe, Owen McCormack and Ross Kenny, wing-backs of Sean Hurley and Ricky Fox, a midfield three of Craig Wall, Eoin Porter and Mark Slater and with Danny Doyle and Adam Hanlon up front. Both halves were fairly even with Cabo starting the first 45 minutes in a brighter manner. On two minutes, Wexford's Sean Hurley volleyed over after a long throw by Craig McCabe. On four minutes, Cabo had a corner but the free header which resulted was knocked low and wide. Cabo then had a free deflected for a corner before, on 15 minutes, Cabo went ahead when a cross from the right was left or missed by Jason Byrne, and Kevin Knight knocked home the chance at the far post for 1-0 to Cabo. Wexford improved after going a goal behind. Ref. Paula Brady, who seems to blow every time there's any physical contact between opposing players, gave Wexford two soft looking frees in a row, the second of which was a yard outside Cabo's penalty box. Wexford's Mark Slater, who's improving all the time, rolled the free under a jumping wall to give Kelly in the Cabo goal no chance and it was 1-1. Two minutes later, Adam Hanlon nearly put Wexford in front when he tried to lift the ball over the advancing Kelly, but the Cabo keeper managed to knock the effort away. Corey Chambers was then called upon to block a shot from Cabo' s left wing before, right on the half-time whistle, the lively Danny Doyle of Wexford had a low shot kicked away by Kelly in the Cabo goal to leave the score at 1-1 at half-time.
Second half was the quieter of the two with neither side really threatening to score. On ten minutes, a Cabo defender was given a yellow for a handball outside the penalty area, and Kelly had to work hard to palm away Slater's free for a Wexford corner. Cabo looked dangerous from set-pieces but Wexford's Hanlon managed to get a one-on-one with Kelly but made it an easy save when losing balance while Wexford improved with the introduction of Duxey Dunne from the bench. Danny Doyle, who still plays U17, went off with about 15 minutes to go and looks a real prospect. Duxey Dunne had two good efforts from distance on goal while Lee Duffy, back from injury, also managed to keep one on target right at the end.
So, 1-1 at full-time with Wexford posing more of a threat up front than in previous matches. Liked the look of Adam Hanlon and Danny Doyle up front for the home side while Mark Slater also impressed. Maybe, 220 at the match with congratulations to Cabo for managing to get a bus of supporters to the game.
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