It was a fantastic return to First Division action for Wexford FC as Aaron Dobbs’ excellent first-time finish ensured that we came away with all three points from Finn Park. The Harps defence failed to deal with Reece Webb’s dangerous inswinging ball which fell to the feet of substitute Mark Hanratty whose awareness allowed an in-form Dobbs to finesse the ball into the far corner from inside the area.
The first half provided opportunities for both sides to break the deadlock, with Harps sending an early warning sign in the 2nd minute, when Charlie Heffernan had to get down smartly to save a Flood free-kick which travelled beneath the wall.
Wexford responded well and could have taken the lead themselves shortly after when Danny Furlong was set free by Dobbs. He cut inside onto his right whilst jinking past a Harps defender, but his effort proved to be a comfortable take for Hiemer in the Harps goal. These proved to be the two best chances of the half as the game went into the break scoreless.
Aaron Dobbs started the second half lively and was rewarded for his endeavour in the 64th minute when Webb’s dangerous delivery was cleared only as far as the recently introduced Mark Hanratty who showed great composure to set Dobbs for a first-time finish. This was Dobbs’ 6th goal in his last 5 games, leaving the helpless Hiemer glued to the spot with his emphatic strike.
Dobbs looked to carry on where he left off just two minutes later when he broke in behind the Harps defence and managed to round the onrushing Hiemer. Unfortunately, he could only find the side netting and let Harps off the hook in a half that was now being dominated by Wexford.
In truth, the home side never really looked like equalising, that was until added time when a short corner caused havoc in a crowded Wexford box. A mixture of brave defending and luck prevented Harps from equalising as Caoimhin Porter lost his footing from eight yards out when it looked certain that he would fire home.
That would be the final act of the game, as Wexford returned to action with a hard fought but well-deserved victory on the road. The win leaves us in 6th place, three points off Bray Wanderers in 5th, with our next game away to Longford Town on Saturday July 1st. Full-time Finn Harps 0-1 Wexford FC.
Wexford FC: Heffernan (GK), Webb, Douglas (S Fitzpatrick, 80’), Lynch, Crawford, Chambers (D Levingston, 62’), Piper, McCann, Corbally, Furlong (Hanratty, 62’), Dobbs (C).
