Wexford Fc v Cork City

[ForzaForth]

Good point for Wexford as they survived being put through the wringer by Cork in the first half and gave a very good account of themselves in the second period. Wexford started with Owen, Darragh, Cian, Ethan, Mikie, Kian, Dobbsy, Mark, Kaylem, Brandon and Reece. Cork looked dominant from the start in terms of physicality and fitness and scored from their first attack. On four minutes Bargary beat Mark Hanratty for pace down Cork’s right (not an easy thing to do) and crossed to give the impressive Jaden Umeh an easy finish. Cork continued to keep Wexford pinned back in their own half and, on nine minutes, Cork had a header a yard wide of the Wexford post. Cork continued to press forward and had a header over the Wexford crossbar followed by a Cork effort on goal which was grabbed by the steady Owen Mason in the Wexford goal. Wexford did well to stay in the game at only a goal behind at halftime as Cork finished the half with a volley which Mason saved well with a flying save. 1-0 to Cork at this stage with Wade in the Cork goal not having been troubled.

[ForzaForth]

Second half was a different ballgame as Cork may have decided to sit back and Wexford brought on Thomas Oluwa and Luka Lovic at the start of the second period both of whom impressed. Suddenly, Wexford began to dominate the game with Lovic and an amazing performance by 17-year old Kaylem Harnett beginning to take control of the centre of the park. On four minutes, Thomas Oluwa had a decent chance with a volley which took a deflection and won Wexford a corner. However, Cork were winning everything in the air with Lyons and Coleman dominating. Just after the hour mark, Wexford gained a deserved equaliser when Oluwa crossed low to Dobbsy who held it up and crossed low again for Mikie Rowe to finish close in to the Cork goal for 1-1. As the second half progressed, Cork got back in the game and Owen Mason made a good double save to keep Cork at bay and Thomas Oluwa had a shot straight at Wade in the Cork goal. Late sub for Wexford was Cian Curtis and game finished at 1-1. Good effort by Wexford with Kaylem Harnett, Ethan Boyle, Reece Webb and the two Wexford halftime subs doing well for the home side. Would still expect Cork to grab the title comfortably. Crowd was announced as 1151.