Patrick O’ Connor reports from Ferrycarrig Park.
Cork City maintained their grip at the top of the First Division when they defeated a very game Wexford team by a single goal at Ferrycarrig Park on Friday night. The win kept them a point clear of second placed Galway United (and City still have a game in hand).
The Leesiders started the opening period on the front foot. They won their first corner and scored the opening goal as early as the fourth minute through centre back Josh Honahan.
Barry Coffey won a corner on City’s right-hand side and when Matt Healy swung it in Honahan rose unopposed to head it past Alex Moody in the Wexford goal.
Darragh Crowley and Coffey combined very well for City and almost created a second goal for Ruairi Keating in the 12thminute but the former Galway Utd player’s header was saved by Moody on this occasion.
Wexford almost fashioned an unlikely equaliser a few minutes later when Harry Groome’s cut back from the end line was almost scrambled across the line by Aaron Dobbs but David Harrington managed to claim the ball after a goal mouth scramble.
City became a bit careless midway through the first half and gave the ball away needlessly on a number of occasions. However Wexford were unable to capitalise on any of the possessions they were gifted by the visitors.
The game was very scrappy for the most part, not helped by a dry, bumpy pitch which was also very narrow with the result that there was very little room for wingers to operate.
The game suffered a lot as a consequence and the few hundred spectators present had little to enthuse about in the opening 45 minutes.
Wexford drew in confidence as the first half came to a close and Conor Crowley had a great chance to get the equaliser in the 39th minute but his shot from the edge of the box was well over.
Wexford started the second period as City had the first half but despite dominating possession, they never really threatened Harrington in the Cork goal.
Aaron Bolger did almost extend City’s lead against the run of play in the 58th minute when he went on a mazy run beating a number of defender but his final shot while on target was weak and saved by Moody.
The visitors continued to struggle in the second half much to the frustration of their travelling support and they would have paid for their lethargy had the home side been sharper in front of goal.
Wexford forced a series of corners in the closing stages and almost got the equaliser they deserved in the 81st minute when Dobbs brought a fingertip save from Harrington.
City saw out the game at the end through some frantic defending but it was far from a convincing performance from Colin Healy’s men and they will need to recover their form if they are to continue to have aspirations to gain that automatic promotion spot at the end of the season.
Wexford FC: Alex Moody; Paul Cleary, Luka Lovic, Joe Manley ©, Conor Crowley (Dinny Corcoran 73), Conor Barry (Adam Wells 70) Aaron Dobbs, Thomas Considine, Len O’Sullivan (Ger Shortt 70), Eoin Farrell, Harry Groome.
Subs not used: Paul Hunt, Aidan Friel, Mitchell Byrne, Luke Scanlon, Evan Farrell, Sean Fitzpatrick.
Cork City: David Harrington; Jonas Häkkinen, Josh Honohan, Cian Coleman ©; Darragh Crowley, Matt Healy, Barry Coffey (Matt Srbely 89), Aaron Bolger; Cian Murphy (Cian Bargary 65), James Doona (Dylan McGlade 65), Ruairi Keating (Louis Britton 82).
Subs not used: Jimmy Corcoran, Kevin O'Connor, Ronan Hurley, Uniss Kargbo, Gordon Walker, Dylan McGlade.
Referee: Gavin Colfer
