Report: Dundalk 2 - 1 Wexford Youths

Title favourites Dundalk went four points clear at the summit of the First Division, though they made hard work of fending off the challenge of bottom-of-the-table Wexford Youths at Oriel Park on Thursday night, as the Lilywhites almost let a comfortable half-time lead slip.

The Youths began well as they put pressure on the hosts from the start, however, their inability to trouble Chris Bennion cost them dear midway through the half as they were hit with a double blow as John Flanagan and Robbie Martin gave Dundalk a two-goal advantage at the break. Wexford fought back in the second-half - although after Patsy Malone pulled one back on 57 minutes, Wexford were unable to force Bennion into another save.

Dundalk returned to a more noticeable line-up after playing with a weakened team on Tuesday evening in the League Cup. Chris Bennion, Aidan Lynch, David Crawley, Paul Shiels, Davie O’Connor and Robbie Martin all came back into the starting XI in place of Aaron Shanahan, Stefan McKevitt, the banned Shane Grimes, Paul Marney, Paul Smyth and Tiarnàn Mulvenna - who took his place on the bench after hitting a double against Monaghan.

Wexford came out of the blocks quick and held plenty of possession in the opening quarter of an hour, with the visitors forcing four corners and having a penalty claim waved away. However, it was Dundalk who hit the front with their first shot on target, as John Flanagan headed home a David Crawley corner, before Jamie Duffy headed narrowly wide from another Crawley delivery moments later.

Dundalk did make it two within sixty seconds, however, as a Crawley ball out of defence wasn’t dealt with by the Wexford backline. Duffy stole the ball away from Thomas Hawkins and passed to Robbie Martin, who fired home with ease from 15-yards. Martin should have then doubled his tally on the half-hour, however, he saw his shot go inches off target after Trevor Vaughan had started the move with a superb pass to Duffy. Duffy himself had two chances to get a third before half-time, however, twice he saw his efforts blocked behind.

Following the resumption, Dundalk were again slow to come to life, and this time it cost them as Wexford got a goal back on 57 minutes. Chris Bennion made a double save sixty seconds before it, however, from the resulting corner, Wexford struck. Bennion initially pulled off another good save, however, after a scramble in the box, Patsy Malone was on hand to tap the ball home from two-yards.

Wexford were unable to make possession count once more, though, as Bennion wasn’t worried again between then and the end. An ambitious Anto Russell lob with twenty minutes remaining was the most the Youths could muster. Dundalk themselves came closer to adding a third, however, they saw a number of shots fly off target. Despite not winning in style, however, the Lilywhites will be more than pleased with how Thursday night’s table looks, as they sit prettily at the top - four points clear.

Dundalk FC (4-4-2): Chris Bennion; John Flanagan, Aidan Lynch (Paul Marney 57), Ian Ryan, David Crawley; Jamie Duffy, Paul Crowley, Paul Shiels, Davie O’Connor; Trevor Vaughan (Robbie Farrell 89), Robbie Martin (Tiarnàn Mulvenna 83).
Subs Not Used: Aaron Shanahan (GK), Paul Smyth.

Booked: J Flanagan (32).

Wexford Youths: Jason Russell; Garrett Larkin, Tomas Hawkins (Craig McGuire 82), Stuart Lawlor (Joey Wadding 44); Gavin Doyle, Conor Sinnott, Anto Russell, Patsy Malone, Liam O’Loughlin (Darren Browne 75); Martin Kelly, Richie Fitzgerald.
Subs Not Used: Ricky Fox, Kyle Dempsey.

Booked: G Doyle (90), C Sinnott (90+3).
 

Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).
Attendance: 1,500 (estimate).