Drogheda

[ForzaForth]

Wexford secured one of the best points seen in Ferrycarrig for some time after a stirring performance when going a man down with 35 minutes to go. Helped by an outstanding debut by Dean Walsh, the home side also displayed some real flair on occasions to lift the small but animated home support. Wexford started with Corey, Liam, Owen, Sean, John, Dean George, Conor, Paddy, Mark and with Adham Masood and Dean Walsh up front. The game started in a torrential downpour which didn’t relent for about half an hour. The first half was relatively even with Wexford profiting from a decent amount of skill about the pitch and assisted by the control and passing ability of Dean Walsh up front. First Drogs effort on goal came on 11 minutes but it proved an easy save for an excellent Corey Chambers in the Wexford goal. On 22 minutes, Dean George got away a good volley for Wexford, but Paul Skinner managed to grab it easily in the Drogs goal. On the half-hour mark, Mark Slater’s drive proved too hot for Skinner to handle, but there was nobody from Wexford to profit from the rebound. A yellow for simulation to a Drogheda player inside the Wexford penalty area looked harsh with ten minutes to go in the half. Dean Walsh then tried an audacious shot from forty yards out which just sailed over the Drogheda crossbar and Corey Chambers had to react quickly to keep out a Drogheda volley. 0-0 at half-time being a reasonable reflection of the balance of the game.

[ForzaForth]

With six minutes gone in the second half, Corey Chambers was either lucky or good enough to correct his own mistake when he tried to play football outside his own area and was dispossessed by a Drogheda attacker. On ten minutes, Drogheda looked to gain the advantage when Wexford’s Sean Kelly was given a second yellow for a foul just outside the Wexford penalty area. Wexford then sliced the ball just past their own post for a corner and the resulting corner was just cleared off the Wexford goal-line. However, Dean Walsh then nearly got a surprise goal for the home side when he just pushed the ball too far past Skinner with only the Drogheda keeper to beat. Kyle Scallan came on for Wexford as Drogheda continued to press but probably wasted too much ball hit aimlessly into the Wexford area. Sean Smithers also came on for Wexford as Owen McCormack tried to test Chambers’ reflexes again with another attempt at an own goal but Chambers again proved up to the task. With five minutes to go, Dean Walsh was replaced by Emmet Nugent and Drogheda’s pressure never looked like paying off. 0-0 at full-time. In addition to Walsh, Conor Sutton and Paddy Cahill were excellent in midfield for Wexford with Sean Kelly, before being sent off, and John Morgan doing well in front of the ever-dependable Corey Chambers in the Wexford goal. About 130 at the match with Wexford supporters unusually in good heart at the final whistle.