It was rather a question of ‘what-ifs’ for Wexford FC, as the lads concluded the August Bank Holiday double-header with a 1-0 derby defeat to local rivals Waterford FC. Former Republic of Ireland international Eddie Nolan headed home the only goal of the game in the sixty-eighth minute, as current Irish boss Stephen Kenny watched on from the stands at Ferrycarrig Park.
The first half flowed perhaps as anticipated, with Wexford allowing Waterford to dominate possession whilst looking to hit the away side on the counter. The in-form Thomas Oluwa was ineligible for this fixture and in his place 17 year-old Eoin Kenny led the line, and quite admirably too. His pace and skill allowed Wexford to push much higher up the field, while also looking like our most creative spark.
Wexford did well to frustrate Waterford throughout the half, with Owen Mason left largely untroubled other than a few routine catches. The best chance Waterford managed to muster came courtesy of Connor Parsons, who cut inside from the left but curled his effort just wide of Mason’s goal.
The aforementioned Kenny was proving to be a nuisance for the Waterford backline, and he was the provider for our earliest opportunity to break the deadlock. He did well to dig out a left footed cross which found Reece Webb in the middle of the penalty area, but unfortunately his speculative volley drifted wide of the target. Half time: Wexford FC 0-0 Waterford FC.
The second half began very much in the same vein as the first, with Wexford doing quite well to contain a good Waterford side and not least dangerman Ronan Coughlan, who was kept relatively quiet throughout.
However, in the sixty-seventh minute Parsons for the first time managed to break in behind the Wexford backline and only for the extended boot of Mason would have made it 1-0. Unfortunately, Waterford wouldn’t have to wait much longer to break the deadlock, as from Parsons resulting corner Eddie Nolan nodded home at the near post. Wexford FC 0-1 Waterford FC.
This proved to be the catalyst for Wexford to have a much greater influence on the game from an attacking perspective, and the home side were extremely unfortunate not to find an equaliser. Both Eoin Kenny and Corban Piper had the goal at their mercy and on any other day would have converted the equaliser that a hard-working Wexford performance may have warranted. It must also be said that goalkeeper Mason made two very smart stops in the latter stages to deny Barry Baggley and Ronan Coughlan, but ultimately it was Waterford who emerged from the south-east derby as victors and bring an end to our unbeaten run. Full time: Wexford FC 0-1 Waterford FC.
Wexford FC: Mason, Boyle (C), Browne, O’Malley, Lynch, Webb (Doran, 74’), McCann, Lovic (D. Levingston, 74’), Piper, Corbally, Kenny (Furlong, 74’).
Waterford FC: Sargeant, Burke, O’Keeffe, Perry, Nolan, Baggley, Parsons (Baker, 86’), Atakayi (Pattisson, 63’), Coughlan, Phillips, Akachukwu (Idowu, 63’).
Match Officials: Robert Dowling, Brian Fenlon, Aaron Pisarnik, Ian O’Keeffe.
Match Report: Ethan Lahiff
