FAI Cup Report: Drogheda United 3–2 Wexford FC

Kevin Doherty

Kevin Doherty Credit: Paul Dolan (ETPhotos)

Tommy Healy reports from Weavers Park

Drogheda United booked their place in next month’s FAI Cup Final with a dramatic win over Wexford at Weavers Park on Sunday afternoon with Adam Foley scoring an injury time winner.

The game began in a flurry with chances at either end, first for the Drogs Shane Farrell whose cross failed to find Frantz Pierrot or Ryan Brennan in the box. At the other end Mikie Rowe unleashed a shot from the edge of the box but saw his effort comfortably enter the hands of Luke Dennison.

Thomas Oluwa of Wexford had a cross of his evade everyone in the 18-yard area, and that same man who would see a header fly just over the crossbar.

Next it was Drogheda’s turn to copy when Brennan headed over from close range.

The veteran Brennan would get an even better opportunity at goal when Conor Kane fought to keep the ball alive, and delivering a cross right on the midfielder’s head, but Conor Walsh in the Wexford goal did well to thwart the attempt.

It was not long after that chance that Wexford converted one of their own, as Oluwa darted down the left-hand side, putting the ball in the area for Rowe. He saw his shot saved but Aaron Dobbs was right there to smash the ball into the top corner. The 10th goal in all competitions this year for the Wexford striker.

The half drew to a close, but the second half would contrast the first, as Drogheda came bursting out of the blocks, getting all of the early chances. First half substitute Foley found a way back for Drogheda levelling the game on 65 minutes. 

The game continued to flow in the Boynesider’s direction and it would not be long before they scored again through their superstar loanee Douglas James-Taylor, whose header found the back of the net with 15 minutes left to play.

The celebrations for the home side were cut short as Oluwa’s clever play found Dobbs who scored in an unconventional manner, bundling the ball home with his backside.



With 2-2 the score in the last ten minutes, it grew very tense.

However it would be the Premier Division side who shone the brightest, a long throw in found the head of James Bolger at the near post. He flicked the ball on the ball for Foley to capture his brace and send Drogheda to a first FAI Cup final since 2013.

Drogheda United: Luke Dennison, Elicha Ahui, Andrew Quinn, Dave Webster, James Bolger, Conor Kane, Ryan Brennan, Darragh Markey, Shane Farrell (Luke Heeney 58), Douglas James-Taylor, Frantz Pierrot (Adam Foley 30).

Subs not used: Andrew Wogan, Aaron Harper Bailey, Gary Deegan, Aaron McNally, Warren Davis, Bridel Bosakani, Killian Cailloce.

Wexford: Conor Walsh, Darragh Levingston, Cian O’Malley, Divin Isamala, Sean McHale (James Crawford 93), Lewis Temple, Kian Corbally, Luka Lovic (Cian Curtis 75), Thomas Oluwa, Aaron Dobbs (Kaylem Harnett 93), Mikie Rowe (Ethan Boyle 55).

Subs not used: Alex Moody, Benjamin Lynch, Adam Lennon, Reece Webb, Conor Crowley



 

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