Wexford FC v Dundalk

[ForzaForth]

No points but a really good performance by Wexford tonight in a humdinger of a game which was the best match of the season so far in Ferrycarrig. With Paul Martin and Conor Levingston suspended, Wexford started with Alex, James, Josh, Dean, Mikie, Darragh, Dobbsy, Calum, Kaylem, Zayd and Ryan S. First ten minutes belonged to Dundalk as they bossed the game from the start but without making Alex Moody work in the Wexford goal. However, Dundalk scored with their first goal attempt soon afterwards when Leo Gaxha buried an effort just inside Wexford's far post from a tight enough angle on the right wing. 1-0 to Dundalk. Wexford then began to get into the game and looked as if they could cause the Dundalk defence some trouble if the home side could get possession of the ball inside the final third. It led to a quick equaliser for Wexford when an overlap by James Crawford down Wexford’s left resulted in a low cross which travelled a long way inside Dundalk’s area leaving Darragh Levingston a relatively easy chance at the far post. 1-1 at this stage. Wexford continued to look dangerous and Darragh Levingston was then set up with a headed chance at Dundalk’s far post but sent it wide. Dundalk upped the pressure as the game approached the break and Dean Ebbe got very close to finishing off a Gaxha cross which fizzed across Wexford’s goal. Just as the half looked like ending level at 1-1, a couple of errors in the Dundalk defence allowed Mikie Rowe to grab a goal at the far post with his left foot. 2-1 to Wexford at halftime.

[ForzaForth]

Second half was very end to end as both sides created good chances. Minogue in the Dundalk goal did well to push away an Aaron Dobbs effort but immediately after a Dundalk chip floated just past Wexford’s far post. Darragh Levingston then had a great chance for Wexford but Minogue saved with his feet and Wexford sub, Ryan Kelly, had a powerful effort which went the other side of Dundalk’s upright. Alex Moody then had to save bravely at the feet of Daryl Horgan while a rare error by Ryan Scanlon eventually led to Dean Ebbe heading an effort which hit the frame of Wexford’s goal. Immediately, another Dundalk cross from their left enabled Ebbe to convert with a header and it was 2-2. Ryan Butler was then introduced by Wexford as Dundalk increased the pressure as the game entered its closing stages. Wexford were hanging on a bit at this stage and a fantastic tackle by James Crawford at Wexford’s far post prevented Dundalk from getting the fifth goal of the game. Then, from a Dundalk corner, Dundalk sub, Mulligan, was given just a little too much space at Wexford’s near post and his header took a deflection off a Wexford defender on the way in to give Dundalk the lead. Filip Wasilewski was introduced late on by Wexford but they couldn’t summon up another goal chance and the game finished 3-2 to Dundalk after a stirring ninety minutes. In addition to the usual suspects for Wexford, there were excellent performances by Zayd Abada at right-full, Ryan Scanlon in midfield while I can’t remember a better game coming from Darragh Levingston than the 85 minutes or so he put in this evening. Crowd was believed to be 897 and the game also saw the Rockshore container in use for the first time.