Wexford FC v Cabinteely

[ForzaForth]

In a game decided by set-pieces, Cabinteely gained a very valuable three points in a tight game in Ferrycarrig last night. Wexford started with five debutants (names in full) in what looked like a 3-4-3 with Tom in goal, Alex O’Hanlon, Paul, James, Conor, Karl M, Karl F, Paul Fox, Kyle Robinson, Harry Groome and Luke Turner. Cabo started the better as they won a number of corners after about five minutes. With great delivery by Cabo, their set-pieces caused trouble for Wexford all night and led to the first Cabo goal on ten minutes when Kevin Knight was left completely free just beyond the far post. His header bounced off the ground but then rebounded to a height just underneath the Wexford cross-bar to put the away side a goal ahead. First decent Wexford effort came on 17 minutes when Harry Groome shot about a yard over the Cabo cross-bar. Two good blocks by Cabo defenders from a Wexford corner then prevented Wexford from getting an early equaliser. On 20 minutes, Tom Murphy stood big to knock away a Cabo shot from an angle for a corner. Right on the blow, a Wexford flicked header went just wide of the Cabo goal to leave Cabo ahead 1-0 at the interval.

[ForzaForth]

Cabo started the second half well and hit both the Wexford post and cross-bar in quick succession again from top-quality corners. With 51 minutes gone, Wexford only had two players in the wall to face a long-range free-kick by Cabo’s Casey, but he managed to get a real zinger to hit the inside of the Wexford post and nestle inside the other post to put Cabo 2-0 ahead. Wexford then began to play their best football of the game as they retained the ball with a bit more care. It resulted in Wexford getting a goal back when the impressive Luke Turner won the second of two headers from a Wexford corner to nod the ball into Cabo’s top corner. Wexford’s play was further enhanced by the introduction of our key player, Jack Doherty. Apparently he had missed some of our pre-season, but he’s so important to us going forward that I’d play him with his leg hanging off. Karl Manahan then just couldn’t reach a low cross by Paul Fox who also looks to have a lot of promise. With ten minutes to go, Success Edogun came on for Wexford and made a good case for further game-time in the next match. He had a chance to nick an equaliser right on the ninety minute mark with a first-time shot but he didn’t connect all that cleanly. So, 2-1 to Cabo at the end with Wexford showing that they are capable of playing good football when they use the ball well but, in what looks like a very competitive year, points will be hard to come by. Cabo, in contrast, play some very pragmatic football and seem to be happy to lump it forward on any occasion.