Rough patch for under-age teams
THE VARIOUS Wexford F.C. under-age teams found victories elusive in the lead-up to Easter, with a record of just two draws and seven defeats from right across the Under-13 to Under-19 spectrum.
However, there was a bright ending when the Under-17 girls ended that losing sequence across the boards with a 2-1 victory in Cork on Sunday.
UNDER-19: They went down 2-0 away to Cabinteely, with the goals arriving in the 25th and 90th minutes, although Kieran Murphy struck the post and Josh Murphy also headed wide from a good position.
That was followed by a 2-1 home loss to U.C.D., with Kieran Murphy putting Wexford ahead in the 13th minute.
The advantage was maintained until the 83rd minute when the visitors equalised, and there was heartbreak when they added the winner at the death. Next up will be Waterford away on Sunday.
UNDER-17: Dylan Casey headed home from a corner to give the Under-17 side a 1-0 lead at home to Cabinteely, but they were dealt a blow when Shane Gibson was dismissed for retaliation after the visitors levelled early in the second-half.
The home side’s mentors were perplexed when a goal wasn’t awarded after a shot from Luke Greene rebounded downwards from the crossbar and clearly crossed the line.
Cabo then took a 2-1 lead from a dubious penalty, but the persistent ten men got their just rewards when Brody Murphy equalised in the 88th minute.
A 3-1 loss away to U.C.D. followed, with the home side 2-0 up before Rob Bulmer pulled one back in the 73rd minute. The Dubliners wrapped up the win with a late third, and Wexford will now host Waterford on Saturday.
UNDER-15: Wexford played out a scoreless draw with Bray Wanderers in Ferrycarrig Park, before suffering their first loss of the season away to Shamrock Rovers on a 3-2 scoreline.
After going behind in the 28th minute, Seán Fitzpatrick before Harry Curtis gave the visitors the lead.
Rovers had drawn level by half-time, and they got that vital third ten minutes into the second period.
Wexford, who lost Darby Purcell to two yellow cards, will have a chance to gain revenge in the return fixture in Ferrycarrig Park on Sunday.
UNDER-13: The Under-13 squad were hammered 7-1 by Bray Wanderers, and it didn’t get any easier when Shamrock Rovers travelled to Ferrycarrig Park and triumphed 6-2.
Wexford now lie bottom of the table after four losses on the trot, and the return trip to Rovers on Saturday looks like being a daunting task.
UNDER-17 GIRLS: Their season began with a 3-0 defeat away to Limerick F.C. in Hogan Park, but two goals from first team squad member Blessing Kingsley – including a quality winner – powered them to a fine 2-1 win away to Cork City on Sunday.