- Aisling Hannon
- Fri, Jul 28 2023
Wexford claimed an all-important promotion spot on Friday night following a narrow 1-0 win over Treaty United at Ferrycarrig Park.
A first-half goal from Thomas Oluwa was enough for Wexford to snatch fifth place from Bray Wanderers, who suffered a 3-0 defeat to Galway United at Eamonn Deacy Park.
Wexford manager James Keddy had a particularly strong squad heading into this fixture, with plenty of attacking options on the bench including Aaron Dobbs, Danny Furlong and midfielder Brandon McCann.
Luka Lovic came into the starting XI after recently re-joining from a stint at Bray, while Darragh Levingston was forced to miss out due to suspension.
Treaty had a strong line-up of their own, including two new faces on the bench – midfielder Adam Lennon and defender Dean O’Shea, both signed today - but were without centre-back Darren Nwankwo due to suspension.
The first-half was notably muted and perhaps it was the idea of potentially finishing the night in a promotion spot that made the sides somewhat fearful of each other.
There was an evident lack of goal threat, with the first real opportunity coming almost 30 minutes in when Treaty’s Dean George got to the end of a long, unexpected pass from the right by Enda Curran.
It certainly rumbled the Wexford defence, leaving George running free on the left before taking the shot but Heffernan was alert and made the save with ease.
Some good link-up play between Ben Lynch and Mark Hanratty gave Treaty’s Ben O’Riordan a headache as he was forced into making several blocks from their attempts at crossing into the box.
Meanwhile at the other end, Lee Devitt tried the spectacular after collecting the ball from a throw-in, but his half-volley was powered wide and out of danger for Wexford.
The deadlock was eventually broken just two minutes before half-time when on-loan striker Oluwa produced a fine finish to give Wexford the advantage.
Corban Piper lofted a fantastic ball up the pitch to meet Oluwa on the left, who drifted around goalkeeper Conor Winn after the latter made an unnecessary run out of his goal to the edge of the box to try and stop Oluwa early.
It didn’t pay off, and the former Athlone Town forward slotted the ball across the box and into the corner of the net.
Although this goal would’ve given Wexford a confidence boost, it did not particularly show in the second-half as both teams, again, failed to show any real determination in attack.
Stephen Christopher looked sharp for Treaty when he took a run forward following a good spell of possession, but Wexford closed him down before trying their own run at goal.
It was Hanratty who looked dangerous after collecting the ball from Oluwa on the left, but Mark Walsh produced a brilliant challenge to win the ball back for the Limerick side.
With half an hour to play, Piper made way for McCann, who had missed three games due to suspension and was determined to show the impact he can make on this team.
He came close to doubling the lead after getting on the end of a long, powerful throw-in from Cian O’Malley, but his headed effort flew inches wide.
Devitt then had a burst towards goal for Treaty but was pushed off the ball by Reece Webb as Wexford started to sit deep in a bid to prevent an equaliser.
Another brilliant piece of play from the home side came in the dying minutes as Lovic powered through the middle to find McCann on his right, who passed it up to Webb, but the ball was hit wide and no more could be done to kill the game off.
Keddy will be delighted with his team who look to be growing stronger by the week, claiming three wins in as many games, alongside three clean sheets.
The side lie just one point ahead of Bray going into next week’s tie away to Cobh Ramblers, with Treaty dropping to eighth as they prepare to host Longford Town at Markets Field.
Wexford: Noel Heffernan; Ethan Boyle, Luke Browne, Cian O'Malley, Reece Webb; Kian Corbally (Karl Chambers 85), Luka Lovic, Ben Lynch, Corban Piper (Brandon McCann 59); Mark Hanratty (Danny Furlong 59), Thomas Oluwa (Eoin Kenny 74).
Subs not used: Aaron Doran, Max Kelly, Aaron Dobbs, Will Hayes.
Booked: Luka Lovic (60), Reece Webb (68).
Treaty United: Conor Winn; Lee Devitt Molloy, Marc Ludden, Ben O'Riordan, Jordan Tallon (Conor Barry 70); Stephen Christopher (Success Edogun 70), Colin Conroy, Enda Curran, Scott Kirkland (Adam Lennon 70); Dean George (Colin Kelly 70), Mark Walsh.
Subs not used: Michael Dike, Fionn Doherty.
Booked: Lee Devitt Molloy (1), Colin Conroy (73).
Referee: Daniel Murphy
Attendance: 580
extratime.com Player of the Match: Ben O’Riordan (Treaty United)
