George goal helps first team to share of spoils
GALWAY UNITED WEXFORD F.C. 1 1
WEXFORD F.C. managed to get something positive from their last away trip of a dismal season in Eamonn Deacy Park in Galway on Friday, with a Dean George goal just before the break cancelled by the home side in the second-half for a share of the spoils.
After defending a couple of early corners, the visitors threatened for the first time in the tenth minute when Aaron Dobbs nearly got a connection on a George cross.
The goalscorer was clearly on his game from the off, with a dangerous run down the left forcing Galway to stop him in his tracks by conceding a free-kick on the edge of the box.
While the set-piece was wasted, it was clear that George was the man most likely to pose problems for the locals.
A heavy touch spoiled his next run before captain Ross Kenny timed a tackle to perfection on the half-hour mark to deny Donal Higgins a clear run at goal.
Corey Chambers made a save at his near post before the breakthrough arrived in the 43rd minute, with Dean George embarking on a mazy run before directing a low shot into the left corner of the net.
His third goal of the season meant Wexford went into the halftime break on a real high, but Galway’s ears were stinging after the harsh words of player-manager, Alan Murphy, when play resumed.
Chambers made one super save from Colin Kelly before the equaliser arrived in the 60th minute, courtesy of Carlton Uzaebuono who got a firm header on a well-directed corner taken by Kelly.
Uzaebuono then had another ruled out for offside, and it took a goal-line clearance by John Morgan with quarter of an hour left from a Donal Higgins shot to ensure Wexford didn’t fall behind.
It looked like all of the good work would be undone when Galway were awarded a penalty after a foul on Conor Barry, but Corey Chambers dived low to his right and brought off a marvellous save from Colin Kelly’s kick.
Galway threatened again in the three added minutes, with Wilson Warweu missing one header from point-blank range, but the hardearned draw was no more than Wexford deserved.
They will bring their season to an end on Friday at 8 p.m. in Ferrycarrig Park against the only team below them in the division, Athlone Town.
Wexford F.C.: Corey Chambers; Liam McCartan, Owen McCormack, Ross Kenny (capt.), John Morgan; Danny Doyle, Conor Sutton, Seán Kelly, Dean George; Dean Walsh, Aaron Dobbs. Subs. - Adham Masood for Walsh (67), Craig O’Reilly for Dobbs (83), also Vincent Quinlan, Seán Smithers, Colum Feeney.
Galway United: Tadhg Ryan, Stephen Walsh, Alex Byrne, Dara Mulgannon, Ryan Connolly (capt.), Colin Kelly, Chris Horgan, Conor Barry, Donal Higgins, Adam Rooney, Dara Costelloe. Subs. - Carlton Uzaebuono for Mulgannon (60), Conor Melody for Costelloe (60), Wilson Waweru for Higgins (77), also Connor Gleeson, Robbie Williams, Seán Russell, Alan Murphy.
Referee: Jason Mannix (Cork).