U-12 teams exit from SFAI Cup
Disappointment for Albion and North End on the road
STONEYFORD UNITED WEXFORD ALBION 2 0
THE LAST two Wexford teams standing in the Skechers SFAI Under-12 Cup made their exits from the race for honours on Saturday, but both squads should be proud of the efforts that brought them to the business end of the competition.
Unfortunately, North End United experienced the down side of a penalty shoot-out on this occasion, bowing out to Bohemians of Waterford on spot kicks after beating Mullinahone from Tipperary in similar circumstances in the previous round.
And while Wexford Albion lost 2-0 to talented Kilkenny outfit Stoneyford United, the final scoreline is a little unfair on their overall contribution as the clinching goal didn’t arrive until 75 seconds from the end of regulation time when the visitors had pushed forward in search of an equaliser to force extra-time, only to be caught on a breakaway.
The weather gods didn’t help the chances of either side, as both were originally due to play their games at home a fortnight earlier before torrential rainfall led to unplayable pitches and unwanted postponements.
And, under the competition rules, home advantage is lost for the re-fixture when such a situation arises, so both Wexford town clubs were on the road last Saturday.
Chances were limited in the game in Stoneyford, but Albion were well in contention throughout and just lacked the bit of luck that can make such a huge difference in cup competition.
Their captain, Seán O’Connor, tested home goalkeeper Mikey Rohan with a long-range shot in the eighth minute after good work initially by Filip Wasilewski whose pace was posing problems down the left flank.
The latter’s hard graft led to a corner that was perfectly flighted from the left by James Kirby, with O’Connor rising high but directing his header right and wide.
Stoneyford’s first chance of note arrived in the 20th minute after a period of prolonged pressure following a corner, with the ball eventually arriving at the feet of Conor Farrell whose piledriver from distance was expertly saved by William Gaul.
However, the home side hit the front on their next attack, with David Moore forcing home the rebound from close range after Jamie Tallon was initially afforded a lot of space on the right wing to make ground and take a shot that was parried by Gaul.
Albion forced a couple of corners without success approaching half-time, while a give and go between Seán O’Connor and Jan Wosniak looked like paying off until a defender’s timely interception.
The visitors were unfortunate not to equalise nearly seven minutes after the re-start when Filip Wasilewski and Logan Byrne had shots blocked before the ball broke to Conor Shortall whose sweet connection from long range was turned around the post for a corner by netminder Mikey Rohan.
Albion continued to press, with Wasilewski and Darragh McLaughlin winning corners down the right flank that were dealt with by a well-organised defence.
William Gaul made a couple of fine saves as the visitors were forced to go for broke in their quest for an equaliser in the dying minutes, pushing McLaughlin up front to partner Callum Fowler.
And they were unlucky to be hit by the sucker-punch of a second goal on the breakaway as the seconds ticked away.
Noah Cahill found himself one-on-one with Gaul and, while the goalkeeper saved his first effort with an outstretched foot, the ball flew into the air and the diminutive striker waited for it to drop before first-timing into a gaping net.
Albion had got to this stage with home wins against Moyne Rangers (7-1) and Hanover Harps from Carlow (2-0).
And with just one Division 1 league game played so far in the shortened season (a 1-1 draw away to New Ross Town), they will get plenty of opportunities to bounce back from this defeat over the coming weeks and months. The same is true for North End, one division below them in 1A, who were 7-0 victors away to New Ross Celtic in their sole league tie.
Wexford Albion:William Gaul, Conor Shortall, Ben Mallon, Seán O’Connor (capt.), James Kirby, Sam Molloy-Nolan, Logan Byrne, Darragh McLaughlin, Callum Fowler, Filip Wasilewski, Jan Wosniak.
Stoneyford United:Mikey Rohan, Ciarán Hickey, Conor Lawton, Thomas Deegan, Conor Farrell, Pierce Costello, Jamie Tallon, David Moore, Noah Cahill, Mark Askins, Rian Shefflin, Harry Moore.
Referee:David Farrell.