Wexford FC v Dundalk

[ForzaForth]

Encouraging performance by Wexford to keep Dundalk scoreless in Ferrycarrig this evening, although they will need an exceptional set of results in their final six games to grab the final play-off place. With Aji Oluwabiyi and Ryan Butler away on international duty, Wexford began with Paul, James, Robbie, Dean, Mikie, Dobbsy, Conor, Kaylem, Zayd, Evan and Ben. Although Wexford had an early scoring chance with a volley by Ben McCormack which was saved at the foot of the post by Peter Cherrie in the Dundalk goal, Dundalk applied most of the pressure for a good spell afterwards with Paul Martin in the Wexford goal doing well to prevent an OG on six minutes at the expense of a corner. Dundalk were prone to hitting the ball long on many occasions and their threat on the Wexford goal was minimised on a number of occasions as the long balls either fell straight into the hands of Martin or resulted in easy defensive headers for the excellent Dean Larkin in the middle of the Wexford defence. However, the Wexford defence made the mistake of allowing both Arubi and the ball to get behind them on 31 minutes, and Arubi’s cross just beat the stretch of an onrushing Dundalk forward at Wexford’s far post to enable the game to remain at 0-0. Wexford got more into the game as the half progressed but Larkin again made a good block to prevent a Dundalk goal-scoring opportunity from close in towards the end of the half and this was followed by a Daryl Horgan free which was sent just over the Wexford crossbar. 0-0 at halftime and Wexford would have been happy enough at the break.

[ForzaForth]

Second half wasn’t much different than the first with Dundalk generally on top and particularly so as the game neared its end with Wexford really under the cosh. On two minutes, Martin pushed away a good Dundalk effort and, four minutes later, the outstanding Wexford netminder made a great blocking save to prevent a Dundalk forward from scoring close in. Best Wexford chance of the game was created by Mikie Rowe on nineteen minutes but his low effort which looked to be just heading inside Dundalk’s near post was saved by Cherrie with his feet at the expense of a corner. Subs for Wexford as the half progressed included Matthew O’Brien, Calum Flynn and Mo Haris. Dundalk applied some real pressure on the Wexford goal for the final quarter hour or so, but the Wexford defence held out and the home side looked to be happy enough with the share of the points at full-time. Wexford possibly back somewhere near their best but will need to be aiming for three points in each of their final six games. Crowd was reported to be 567.

[ForzaForth]

Correction on the attendance: It was 657 rather than 567!