Defeat in Longford
More clinical home side in control
WEXFORD F.C. were unable to build on their bright start to the SSE Airtricity First Division campaign when a more clinical Longford Town side dished out a 3-0 defeat in City Calling Stadium on Saturday before a crowd of 421.
Damian Locke’s side had triumphed on the road 15 days earlier against Cabinteely, but they didn’t make the most of their chances on this occasion in sharp contrast to the home side.
There was just one change to the starting line-up, with new captain Ross Kenny coming in at centre-half after recovering from injury.
This resulted in his namesake, Chris, pushing up field to the exclusion of Shane Barnes who limped off in the first-half at Stradbrook.
Longford’s attacking intent was clear from an early stage, with Shane O’Connor firing wide in the sixth minute after good work by Chris Mulhall and Darren Meenan.
The first chance for Wexford arrived on the 20-minute mark when Chris Kenny retrieved the ball close to the byline and found Seán Hurley.
The Arklow man’s cross located Aaron Dobbs, but his glancing header was safely gathered by netminder Michael Kelly.
There was an even better opening four minutes later when Mark Slater raced on to a neat ball in behind the defence before shaking off his closest opponent with a neat turn.
The goalkeeper was off his line in a flash, though, diving at his feet to knock the ball away from the danger zone.
Dean Kelly hadn’t been too far away from connecting with a Seán Hurley cross during that positive spell either, with Wexford gradually working their way into contention.
Longford Town recovered and forced four corners in quick succession, with Daniel O’Reilly heading over from the last delivery by Shane O’Connor.
And the locals hit the front in the 37th minute when attacker Chris Mulhall continued his good start to the season with a second goal in two outings, getting a firm connection on a Shane Elworthy cross.
Sam Verdon then tried his luck from distance and was very unfortunate not to double the lead as his shot struck the butt of the upright.
Aaron Dobbs had a chance to open his league goalscoring account for Wexford five minutes into the second-half after beating the offside trap, but netminder Kelly read his intentions and snuffed out the danger.
Danny Bolger was equally adept in denying Mulhall a second goal on the next Longford attack of note, and Wexford were subsequently dogged by ill luck.
For once, netminder Michael Kelly was beaten all ends up by a Thomas Croke piledriver from 25 yards, but he looked on with relief as it crashed off the woodwork.
Danny Bolger kept Wexford in the hunt in the 64th minute with an excellent save from Peter Hopkins, although his stray clearance ten minutes later gave the same player another good opening.
This time Hopkins beat Bolger but he was dogged by misfortune similar to Croke as the ball came back into play off the post.
Longford wrapped up the win in the 80th minute when good work by substitute Dylan McGrade created the opening for Chris Mulhall to slot home his second goal.
And two became three on the 85-minute mark, with McGlade converting the rebound after Ross Kenny headed a cross against his own post.
Danny Bolger made a fine fingertip save in added time to prevent a fourth goal for Longford, with substitute Dean Byrne testing him to the full from a Peter Hopkins cross.
Wexford will be glad to be on home soil for the first time this season tonight (Tuesday) when they face Cobh Ramblers in the EA Sports Cup at 8 p.m.
And there will be a similar kick-off time on Friday for the league visit to Ferrycarrig Park of high-flying Drogheda United who hammered six goals past a weak Athlone Town side on Sunday to signal their intent.
Wexford F.C.: Danny Bolger; Owen McCormack, Ross Kenny (capt.), Seán Kelly; Mark Slater, Thomas Croke, Mikey Byrne, Chris Kenny, Seán Hurley; Dean Kelly, Aaron Dobbs. Subs. - Owen Wall for Croke (75), Danny Doyle for S. Kelly (82), also Kealan Gaffney, Dean George, A.J. Lehane, John Morgan, Liam McCartan.
Longford Town: Michael Kelly; Shane Elworthy, Michael McDonnell, Daniel O’Reilly, Tristan Noack-Hofmann; Dean Zambra (capt.), Peter Hopkins, Sam Verdon, Shane O’Connor; Darren Meenan, Chris Mulhall. Subs. - Dylan McGlade for Meenan (63), Dean Byrne for O’Connor (71), Aodh Dervin for Verdon (88), also Jack Brady, Karl Chambers, Adam O’Connor, Jamie Hollywood.
Referee: Eoghan O’Shea (Tipperary).