Wexford FC produced a fantastic second half comeback to defeat a valiant Kerry FC side 3-2 in our march towards the play-offs. Goals from Ethan Boyle, Aaron Dobbs and Danny Furlong ensured that we would not slip to a second consecutive defeat at home and move three points clear of Bray Wanderers in sixth.
To call this a game of two halves would be an understatement as Kerry came firing right out of the blocks, while the home side admittedly began the game well below their usual standards. In the opening minutes, Owen Mason was adjudged to have handled a back-pass which led to an indirect free-kick which Wexford were ultimately able to clear.
It only took until the ninth minute for the visitors to capitalise on their early pressure, and they done so in some style. Kennedy Amechi found himself with a bit of space 25 yards from goal before unleashing a thunderbolt with his left foot into the top-bin, leaving Owen Mason no chance in the Wexford goal. Wexford FC 0-1 Kerry FC.
In response to this Wexford looked most dangerous when they kept the ball on the deck and worked it into the wide areas, with Ethan Boyle and Eoin Kenny at times getting into promising attacking positions.
Our best chance of equalising in the first half came at the expense of a Kerry FC defender who headed against the top of his own crossbar from a set piece and Wexford could not convert the rebound. Half-Time: Wexford FC 0-1 Kerry FC
As the second half got underway there only looked like one team who were going to score and to their credit, it was the visitors. The dangerous Amechi and Cian Brosnan both had efforts fly wide with Mason at full stretch, as Kerry looked to double their advantage.
Just on the stroke of the hour mark they would make Wexford pay. Sean O’Connell’s rasping left footed strike from the edge of the area was well saved by Mason, but Amechi was on hand to tap home the rebound to double both his, and Kerry’s account for the evening. Wexford FC 0-2 Kerry FC.
Wexford who were now heading for a second consecutive home defeat had to respond, and they did through an unlikely source. Ethan Boyle who was perhaps the stand-out Wexford player last night, got his head to Cian O’Malley’s long throw to provide us a lifeline with just under half an hour to play. Wexford FC 1-2 Kerry FC.
The goal back certainly gave Wexford momentum and consequently demoralised the away side by its avoidability. It would be from another set piece where Aaron Dobbs would fire home the equalizer. He reacted instinctively to fire home from six yards out as Kerry failed to clear Corbally’s free-kick. Wexford FC 2-2 Kerry FC.
Wexford were now well and truly in the ascendancy and in the 80th minute had the opportunity to complete a stunning turnaround. Kevin Williams failed to fend off the determination of substitute Danny Furlong who managed to nip the ball past the onrushing Axworthy. The Kerry keeper’s momentum caused him to poleaxe the striker and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Furlong dusted himself off to do what he does best, sending Axworthy the wrong way to become the third different Wexfordman to score on the night. Wexford FC 3-2 Kerry FC.
To the credit of our visitors, they pushed hard in the dying embers with O’Connell’s crossing causing Wexford some very uneasy moments. Their best chance for an equalizer of their own fell to Ryan Kelliher who failed to connect effectively from O’Connell’s free, heading just wide of Mason’s post.
Wexford hung on to see the game out, completing a fine comeback in a game where a result was of far greater significance than a performance. We return to league action away to Athlone Town on the 25th of August but first is next Sunday’s away trip to St Patrick’s CYFC in the FAI Cup. Full Time: Wexford FC 3-2 Kerry FC.
Wexford FC: Mason, Boyle, Browne, O’Malley, Lynch, Corbally (Kelly, 84’), McCann (Doran, 64’), Piper (D Levingston, 45’), Kenny, Oluwa (Furlong, 54’), Dobbs (Lovic, 84’).
Kerry FC: Axworthy, O’Connell, Ainscough (Keane, 76’), Kennedy (McGrath, 46’), Williams, Coughlan, Barrett, Teahan (Vasiu, 46’), Hannafin, Brosnan (Kelliher, 65’), Amechi (Gaxha, 65’).
Officials: Chris Sheehan, Conor Harkin, Sean Stephens, Mark Patchell.
Match Report: Ethan Lahiff.
