League Report: Wexford Youths 1 - 2 Dundalk
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Dundalk FC continued their tremendous start to the season with a 2–1 victory over an intrepid Wexford Youths side in Ferrycarrig Park tonight.
Goals from David McMillan and Ciáran Kilduff ensured that the Lilywhites will go into next Friday night’s encounter with Cork City with a 100% league record following tonight’s win.
The home side made four changes for this game, while Dundalk made three and it showed as both sides made a scrappy start to the event with the ball being traded on a constant basis.
Wexford were having to resort to long balls forward as the visiting team applied pressure high up the pitch. However, that looked as if it may pay dividends for them as Andy Mulligan looked dangerous down the Youths’ right hand side.
The first big chance of the game arrived thirteen minutes in. Patrick McEleney drove menacingly at the Youths rear-guard and as he prepared to pull the trigger, defender Lee Grace came from nowhere to block his effort. Dane Massey made nothing of the rebound.
Daryl Horgan, McEleney and John Mountney were looking more and more dangerous as the half progressed, but the home side were keeping them at bay with the dynamic Eric Molloy looking robust with his box-to-box style.
The Premier Division champions began taking total control of the game from the twenty-minute mark though. Horgan in particular stood out.
The winger had two quick efforts saved by Wexford ‘keeper Graham Doyle before he unleashed a fantastic effort on the turn from a central position 25 yards out, which the home stopper acrobatically saved.
Mountney was the next to test the over-worked Doyle. Craig Wall fouled Dundalk’s Chris Shields and from the resulting free-kick, Mountey struck a 30-yard drive which was well saved, especially as it bounced just in front of the sprawling Youth’s net-minder.
The opener arrived soon after through David McMillan. He latched onto a precise Mountney delivery from the right to nod home past the advancing Doyle to give Dundalk a deserved lead.
Dundalk continued their relentless pressure for the remainder of the first period. Paddy Barrett grazed the crossbar, McEleney headed a Horgan corner onto the top of the net while Ronan Finn tried an overhead kick, all of which failed to extend the Lilywhites’ lead heading into the break.
Whatever Shane Keegan said to his Wexford charges at half-time had the desired effect as they put in a steadfast performance that made Dundalk have to absorb constant pressure.
Danny Furlong, who looked very isolated in the first half nearly equalised immediately after the resumption of play following a Danny Ledwith delivery. That was a portrait of things to come.
Just after the hour, Paul Murphy floated a ball into the area from a free kick. However, as Gary Rogers rushed to collect, he let it slip through his palms and out for a corner. Furlong again could have equalised from the resulting corner, but after an intense scramble, the visitors cleared.
Craig McCabe was introduced by Youths with twenty minutes to play and he was a central instrument in their dominance towards the end of the game. He used his long throw-in routine to arrow balls into Rogers’ six-yard box and they caused havoc for the ‘keeper and his defender’s.
A Ledwith corner saw Eric Molloy have an effort cleared off the Dundalk line as they sensed an equalising goal. That duly came when Danny Furlong bundled another Ledwith corner into Rogers’ net ten minutes from time to send the home crowd into ecstasy
The jubilant scenes marked the first home goal Wexford Youths have scored in the Premier Division, and they sensed a winner as they continued to press their visitors.
Rogers was looking very shaky in goal for the Lilywhites as McCabe and Ledwith continued to apply exact deliveries from set-pieces.
However, Dundalk then broke ruthlessly. Left-Back Dane Massey hung a cross from the left for substitute Ciáran Kilduff to meet and the striker’s headed effort sprawled under the desperate Doyle to put Dundalk ahead against the run of play and somewhat undeservedly.
Youths continued to attack but they couldn’t break through for a second equaliser. The game then petered out with Dundalk minding possession high up the pitch.
Referee Paul Tuite blew the full time whistle soon after as Dundalk escaped Ferrycarrig Park with the three points that they scarcely deserved following Wexford Youth’s excellent second half showing.
Next up for Youths is a trip to Dalymount Park to face Bohemians, while Dundalk prepare to host Cork City at Oriel Park.
Wexford Youths: Graham Doyle; Stephen Last, Lee Grace, Craig Wall, Ryan Delaney (Craig McCabe 74); Andy Mulligan (Jonny Bonner 62), Eric Molloy, Aidan Friel, Danny Ledwith; Paul Murphy, Danny Furlong.
Subs not used: John Peare, Craig McCabe, Chris Kenny, Conor English, Gary Delaney, Matthew Connor.
Booked: None
Dundalk FC: Gary Rogers; Paddy Barrett, Brian Garland, Andy Boyle, Dane Massey; John Mountney, Ronan Finn, Chris Shields, Patrick McEleney (Robbie Benson 78), Daryl Horgan; David McMillan (Ciáran Kilduff 73)
Subs not used: George Poynton, Darren Meenan, Shane Grimes, Stephen O’Donnell, Gabriel Sava.
Booked: Paddy Barrett (64).
Referee: Paul Tuite
Attendance: 709
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Paul Murphy (Wexford Youths).
