U-15s share six goals with Cobh Ramblers
COBH RAMBLERS 3 WEXFORD F.C. 3
WEXFORD F.C. ended the first phase of the SSE Airtricity Under-15 Group 3 season with an entertaining draw with Cobh Ramblers in St. Colman’s Park.
Mark Doran’s side were sitting in fourth place in the table, their aim after a slow start to the season, with no prospect of moving higher and no chance of being caught from behind. It allowed the Wexford boss an opportunity to give some of his squad players a start.
What Doran didn’t know is exactly how those players would react to being elevated to starting berths. It bodes well for this Wexford side that the fringe players were impressive in a quality first 40 minutes of football.
In fact, it took just three minutes for the Ferrycarrig Park side to take the lead. When the powerful Tyler Dunphy was fouled in the box, former Gorey Rangers youngster Rian Fitzpatrick stepped up and converted to the Cobh ‘keeper’s left to open the scoring.
While Wexford dominated possession in the first-half, and Ramblers created next to nothing in front of goal, the visitors were not able to add to their lead, meaning the game was very much in the balance heading into the second period.
Just ten minutes after the resumption Wexford went two up. The goal came from a free-kick near the Cobh corner flag.
Harry Curtis whipped it into the area where Dylan Casey, excellent all game, controlled and sent a composed finish to the net.
Doran’s side were racking up the injuries in a tough, physical battle as the game wore on and they were soon to get caught out.
In fact, Cobh scored three goals in quick succession as they went from two down to 3-2 ahead.
The boys in pink refused to lie down and accept defeat, even with nothing but pride on the line. They completely dominated the last ten minutes and got a hugely deserved equaliser when Rian Fitzpatrick fired into the opposite top corner from the left wing in the final minute.
Wexford now wait for confirmation of their draw for phase two of the competition. They will play three sides in a mini-group, home and away, over a six-week period, and those fixtures are scheduled to start on the weekend of September 2.
Wexford F.C.: Aaron Phelan; Darragh McGuire, Dylan Casey, Harry Curtis, Patryk Remiasz, Tyler Dunphy, Paddy Redmond, Conor Carew, Rian Fitzpatrick, Evan Connolly, Dylan McEvoy. Subs. - Seán Redmond, Seán Adam Gourley, Liam Doyle, Seán Fitzpatrick, Evan Farrell, James Cullen, Kyle Rankin.