League Report: Wexford Youths 3 - 2 Cabinteely

A 92nd minute header from Gary Delaney ensured Wexford Youths maintained their position at the top of the SSE Airtricity League First Division table after coming from behind twice to seal a dramatic 3-2 victory against Cabinteely at Ferrycarrig Park.

The home side started Friday’s game brightest, but despite their early dominance their task was made extremely difficult after recent signing Willie Tyrell was shown a red card by referee Anthony Mullally for a foul in the Youths box.

Cabo skipper John McKeown made no mistake from the spot, despite Youths stopper Graham Doyle guessing correctly. However, the visitors lead lasted just five minutes after the league’s top scorer Danny Furlong rifled home a volley from outside the box to send the Youths faithful into hysteric.

Minutes after drawing level, Youth Shane Dunne forced Evan Moran into a great save after his long range effort was pushed onto the crossbar by the eighteen year old keeper.

As the half-time whistle approached, Cabinteely restored their lead after McKeown popped up with his second of the game, when his shot from 35 yards found Doyle bottom corner goal.

When the sides’ emerged from the dressing rooms it was the hosts, who began the second half brightest, a last ditch tackle from Karl Byrne denied Andy Mulligan before Youths hit the crossbar for the second time through Gary Delaney.

Two goal hero McKeown, then went from hero to zero after the midfielder was shown his marching orders when he received a second yellow card in ten minutes after the officials adjudged he had dived.

As the game approached the final five minutes it appeared that all three points were heading for the capital, until Furlong popped up again to bundle the ball home for his second of the game.

Seconds after being pegged back for a second time, Cabo had an opportunity to restore their lead, but a Michael Brown free-kick was well saved by Doyle.

As the game approached injury time, Youths grabbed a winning goal that could turn out to be a pivotal in the race for promotion after defender Gary Delaney headed home.

Wexford Youths: Graham Doyle , Craig McCabe (Paul Cahillane) 72, Ryan Delaney (Conor Whittle 80), Willie Tyrell, Gary Delaney, Peter Higgins, Andy Mulligan, Craig Wall, Danny Furlong, Shane Dunne, Eric Molloy (Aidan Keenan 63).

Subs Not Used: James Dermody, Chris Kenny, Aidan Keenan, Conor English, Gavin Dowling.

Booked: McCabe (54) Dunne (90).

Red Card: Tyrell (16).

Cabinteely: Evan Moran, Karl Byrne, Michael Brown, Victor Ekanem, Kevin Knight, Josh Quinlivan, John McKeown, Richie Purdy, Peter Durrad (Conor Foley), Sodiq Oguntola.

Subs Not Used: Sean Hyland, Jamie Broderick, Lloyd Cairns, Sean Burke, Aaron Brilly, Darren Clarke.

Booked: McKeown (55, 65), Oguntula (73), Ekanem (85), Purdy (89).

Red Card: McKeown (65).

Referee: Andrew Mullally.