League Report: Wexford Youths 1 - 0 Cobh Ramblers

Wexford Youths kept on the tail of Airtricity League First Division leaders Finn Harps with a 1-0 win against Cobh Ramblers in Ferrycarrig Park on Friday night.

Centre-back Gary Delaney was the goalscorer as he fired home just past the half hour mark, but it was his defensive partner Lee Grace who proved pivotal with a goal line clearance in the last minute to ensure Shane Keegan’s side keep the pressure on Finn Harps.

Ferrycarrig Park passed a late pitch inspection before the 8pm kick-off and it was the visitors that went in search of a lead goal in the opening minutes but Gary Delaney was on hand to head clear a free kick after the lively Jonathon Creamer was fouled.

The home side created a chance of their own two minutes later as Aidan Keenan, Andy Mulligan and Conor Whittle linked up but the final ball from Whittle to Mulligan didn’t match the quaity of the move.

The visitors created a great chance after just ten minutes. Shane O’Connor’s pinpoint through ball carved the Youths defence in half with Creamer through on goal. Keeper Graham Doyle was out quickly but the clash between the players saw the ball loop toward the Youths penalty area, but it dropped safely into a sea of pink jerseys.

Creamer was again looking to get Ramblers in front, but Ryan Goldsmith, who was superb throughout, couldn’t pick out his team mate on the six-yard line from the left.

Gary Delaney was on hand to prevent another Shane O’Connor through ball setting Creamer away, before Conor Whittle’s succession of corners couldn’t find a breakthrough goal.

Aidan Keenan headed over from Whittle’s cross shortly afterwards, and the winger couldn’t pick out a pink shirt after Craig Wall’s excellent through ball.

Cobh Ramblers captain Kevin Mulcahy had to be alert to the danger after 26 minutes, as he got in front of an Andy Mulligan strike at goal, before another superb tackle two minutes later to prevent Furlong’s attempt after good play from Mulligan.

The Youths’ pressure paid off just after the half hour mark. Craig McCabe dropped in the free kick from the half way line into the penalty area and after a game of pinball in the penalty area, centre half Gary Delaney was first to react to fire low past Ramblers keeper David Browne to give the home side the lead in the final action of note in the opening 45 minutes.

The visitors had the first chance of the second period when Stephen Kenny’s cross found the head of the impressive Shane O’Connor, but he couldn’t arch his header at Graham Doyle’s goal.

Craig Wall forced Ramblers keeper David Browne into a good save before the hour mark. Wall skipped past Murphy in midfield but Browne got down low to his right to make an excellent save.

At the other end, Goldsmith was causing Wexford Youths all sorts of problems down the left wing and he linked up with O’Connor. Goldsmith’s cross from the endline fell to Kenny at the back post but he couldn’t find a way past several pink jerseys.

Goldsmith was involved again down the left but his effort from the touchline was just wide of Doyle’s goal, before Murphy headed wide of Doyle’s post.

Ramblers keeper Browne was called into action just past the hour mark as he produced a stunning save to deny Furlong from close range. The resulting corner fell to substitute Eric Molloy who’s shot came back off the post to Furlong but he could only fire straight at Browne.

It was to be a nervy last few minutes for the home team as Cobh Ramblers pushed for an equaliser, and it almost came in the 90^th minute, as Youths keeper Doyle couldn’t punch clear and it was left to Lee Grace’s match-winning block on the line to keep the scoreline at 1-0.

Cobh pressed for a leveller in the final minutes but the home side held firm to stay in touch with league leaders Finn Harps. Shane Keegan will be delighted with the points after the late pressure, while Stephen Henderson will take many positives from a game his side could easilly have snatched a point from.

Wexford Youths: Graham Doyle; Craig McCabe (Eric Molloy 65), Gary Delaney, Lee Grace, Jimmy Dermody; Conor Whittle, Peter Higgins, Craig Wall, Andy Mulligan; Danny Furlong, Aidan Keenan.
Subs Not Used: Danny Niekis (gk), Stephen Last, Craig Comerford, Jonny Bonner, Philip Drohan, Conor English.

Booked: Higgins (19), McCabe (63).

Cobh Ramblers: David Browne; Adam O’Sullivan, Brendan Frahill, Eoghan Murphy, Kevin Mulcahy; Stephen Kenny, Darren Murphy (Chris McCarthy 62), Shane O’Connor, Graham McCarthy (Rob Waters 74), Ryan Goldsmith; Jonathon Creamer (Ronan Stanton 86).
Subs Not Used: Steven Hickey (gk), Daniel Barry, Audie Dunlea, David Curran.

Booked: G. McCarthy (69), O’Sullivan (74).

Referee: Robert Hennessey

Attendance: 200 (estimate)

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Shane O’Connor (Cobh Ramblers).