FAI Cup Report: Wexford 3 - 0 Avondale United

Wexford cruised into the second round of the FAI Cup on Friday night after clinching a 3-0 win over Munster Senior League side Avondale United at Ferrycarrig Park.

Skipper Ethan Boyle gave the home side the lead just before half-time from the penalty spot, before Aaron Doran and Eoin Kenny found the net in the second-half.

Avondale had not played a competitive game since May, with the new league season not commencing until next month, so this was always going to be a difficult task for the Cork side.

Wexford, on the other hand, came into this fixture with confidence after securing a 3-0 win over Bray Wanderers in the First Division last week, leaving them sixth in the table and pushing for a desired promotion spot.

The side also confirmed the return of fan favourite Luka Lovic just before kick-off after the midfielder left during the winter break to join Bray Wanderers.

Despite a predicted domination from Wexford, such command didn’t appear evident in the opening half, with several opportunities to score being missed.

Avondale built a sturdy back line and did well to close down any potential threats on goal.

A low Corban Piper shot followed by a header from Boyle made Wexford look menacing in the opening five minutes, but the flow was a little sluggish. Piper put the ball in the net after 17 minutes, but the goal was disallowed following a foul in the build-up.

Some more chances followed, with James Crawford attempting to hit one in from the left before Thomas Oluwa chanced the follow-up, but goalkeeper Sean Barron did well to keep the ball out of danger.

John Forrest had an excellent run for Avondale just past the half hour mark, with options to his left, but Reece Webb gave him no chance to progress any further towards goal.

The deadlock was eventually broken in added time when Barron came off his goal line to make a low save from a Kian Corbally run, tripping the midfielder in the process, forcing the referee to award the penalty kick.

Despite claims from the away side that Barron had got to the ball before the clash, Boyle stepped up to the spot and sent Barron the wrong way to make it 1-0 at the break.

Wexford came out with a tad more intensity in the second-half with Piper coming close with a header early on, but skimmed it over the bar.

James Keddy decided to shake things up near the hour mark by bringing Lovic into the fold along with Kenny, who scored late last week against Bray to claim his first goal for the club.

Moments later, the lead was doubled thanks to Doran, who fired the ball into the bottom right from an Oluwa pass.

Oluwa, on-loan from Waterford, showed fantastic footwork in the build-up to circle around several Avondale defenders before chipping the ball into the box to meet Doran, whose low, left-footed strike gave Barron no chance to keep it out.

Despite bringing on fresh legs, the Carrigaline side were evidently growing tired, and produced some weary tackles in the final third, making it easier for Wexford to press.

Oluwa stood out as being greatly energetic in the late stages and showed fantastic pace, tearing around the defence, but his late shot on goal was saved by a hard-working Barron.

The striker then made way for Karl Chambers who instantly made an impact, forcing the back line to close him down after he found himself alone up front. Moments later, he missed the target after getting his head on the end of a Doran free kick.

Five minutes were added to the end of the half, and just before the referee blew for full-time, Kenny made it three.

It was Chambers who provided the assist, taking advantage of Avondale’s loss of possession before passing it to Kenny who was running through the middle towards goal.

A quick shimmy around the goalkeeper and Kenny tucked the ball neatly into the net, leaving the only defender near him, Sam O’Driscoll, watching on in defeat.

Wexford return to league action next week when they host Treaty United at Ferrycarrig Park, while Avondale await the beginning of their league campaign in mid August.

Wexford: Charlie Heffernan; Ethan Boyle, Luke Browne, Cian O'Malley, Reece Webb; Kian Corbally (Aaron Doran 13), James Crawford, Max Kelly (Eoin Kenny 57), Corban Piper (Luka Lovic 57); Mark Hanratty (Sean Fitzpatrick 79), Thomas Oluwa (Karl Chambers 79).

Subs not used: Ben Lynch, Evan Farrell, Will Hayes.

Booked: Karl Chambers (89).

Sent off: None.

Avondale United: Sean Barron; Nathan Coleman, John Forrest, Andy Gannon (John Kelly 69), Stephen O'Connor, Sam O'Driscoll; James Carson, David O'Leary, Richard Tobin (Scott Forrest 69); Jordan O'Sullivan, Ben Roche-O'Brien (David Shovlin 60).

Subs not used: Eoghan Lougheed, Kevin Dolan, Dean Kiely, Billy McCarthy, James Sheehan.

Booked: Sean Barron (45), Nathan Coleman (75), David Shovlin (77), Scott Forrest (90), David O'Leary (90).

Referee: Gavin Colfer

Attendance: 268

extratime.com Player of the Match: Ethan Boyle (Wexford)