It was a welcome return to winning ways for Wexford FC thanks to a first half brace from the in-form Mikie Rowe. The victory sees us climb up to fourth in the league table, following the back-to-back home disappointments against ‘De Town’ and UCD.
It took until the twenty-third minute for Rowe to open his account for the evening. Longford failed to deal with Cian O’Malley’s long throw-in, and in the resulting skirmish captain Ethan Boyle managed to prod the ball goalwards where Rowe found himself unmarked and with a simple finish to give the visitors the lead. Longford Town 0-1 Wexford FC.
Minutes later it looked like Mark Hanratty had doubled Wexford’s lead when his right footed effort from outside the area had the Longford keeper well beaten, but whistled narrowly wide of the post.
Thomas Oluwa was the next Wexford player to try his luck. He expertly spun away from Shane Elworthy and was unfortunate to see his effort crash off the Longford crossbar.
Wexford soon made their period of dominance count however, when in the thirty fifth minute Rowe collected Reece Webb’s cross and with the help of a slight nick, steered the ball past the outstretched dive of Jack Brady. Longford Town 0-2 Wexford FC.
Wexford still managed to produce chances throughout the second half in search of a third goal. Cian O Malley produced a great save from Brady as he shot on the swivel but the Longford keeper done well to help the attempt over the bar.
Although perhaps against the run of play Longford found themselves back in the game, as Bastien Hery’s long ball was headed home by Wade Slater. Longford Town 1-2 Wexford FC.
The goal seemed to rejuvenate the home side completely with both Elworthy and Adeyemo wasting glorious opportunities to draw town level.
Longford ended the game reduced to ten men, when Dean O’Shea was shown a second yellow card for taking down Mikie Rowe at the edge of the box.
There was no more late drama and Wexford held on to secure the three points in preparation for next Friday’s home test versus Athlone Town.
Full Time: Longford Town 1-2 Wexford FC
Longford: Brady, Wade Slater, Elworthy, O’Shea, O’Connor, Tallon, Boudiaf, Clarke, Fay, Adeyemo, Campbell.
Wexford: Mason, Webb, O’Malley, Lynch, Crawford, Boyle, Corbally, Lovic, Rowe, Oluwa (Curtis, 87’), Hanratty (Levingston, 72’).
Referee Daniel Murphy.
Match Report: Ethan Lahiff.
