Dundalk FC :: Match Reports

27th March 2008 // Dundalk 2- 1 Wexford Youths: DUNDALK GO FOUR CLEAR

Dundalk shot four points clear at the top of the eircom League of Ireland First Division standings as they defeated Wexford Youths 2-1 at Oriel Park on Thursday evening, although it wasn’t before they survived a second-half scare from the visitors. After a sloppy beginning, the Lilywhites came to life midway through the first-half and found two goals in the space of four minutes as John Flanagan and Robbie Martin gave Dundalk a comfortable half-time lead.

The hosts’ failure to find a third before the interval gave Wexford hope, however, and, just like the opening period, the visitors again started on top. This time, however, they made it count as they pulled a goal back ten minutes after the restart. Patsy Malone tapped home from close-range to bring the Youths back into the match, and they controlled possession from thereon as Dundalk seemed happy to close the game out. And they did so, as Wexford, despite holding possession for long periods, failed to bring another save out of Chris Bennion between then and the end.

Following the League Cup win over Monaghan 48 hours earlier, manager John Gill returned to a more recognisable line-up as he recalled six regulars to the starting XI. Goalkeeper Chris Bennion, defenders Aidan Lynch and David Crawley, midfielders Paul Shiels and Davie O’Connor, and striker Robbie Martin all came in, in place of Aaron Shanahan, Stefan McKevitt, the suspended Shane Grimes, Paul Marney, Paul Smyth and Tuesday’s goal hero Tiarnàn Mulvenna. Star player David Cassidy was forced to sit in the stands after failing to recover from a hamstring injury sustained in the win over Longford.

After starting slowly and surviving Wexford pressure from corners, Dundalk awoke shortly after the quarter-hour, and found their first goal of the night on 20 minutes. Robbie Martin forced the corner, with David Crawley delivering the resulting set-piece for right-back John Flanagan to finish to the back of the net with a bullet header - for his first competitive goal since last May.

Three minutes later, Crawley was again involved as he linked well with Trevor Vaughan, with the local left-back seeing his cross headed narrowly wide of the far post by Jamie Duffy. Dundalk didn’t have to wait long to double their advantage, however, as hesitancy in the Wexford backline handed the home side a second. Duffy dispossessed centre-half Thomas Hawkins inside the area, and supplied Martin, who finished with ease past Jason Russell.

Just shy of the half-hour, the Lilywhites could have made it a quick hat-trick as Vaughan put Duffy through with a fantastic pass. However, after the winger found Martin with a neat pass, the 25-year-old fired inches wide with just the ‘keeper to beat. On 39 minutes, Duffy had a shot from 12-yards blocked behind after Wexford again failed to clear properly, before the 24-year-old thought he had scored his first club goal after he connected with a Crawley corner, only to see his effort somehow cleared off the line.

Following the restart, Dundalk again started slowly and almost allowed Wexford back into the game on 56 minutes. Bennion pulled off a good save from Richie Fitzgerald before blocking a second attempt behind. From the corner, however, Wexford did get a goal back, as Patsy Malone had the easiest of tasks to finish from two-yards after Bennion had made another good save. The hosts almost replied to that shock a minute later as Duffy drilled over, before Crowley fired wide after being set up by the Texas-born winger.

Wexford then began to pressure Dundalk once more, however, they were unable to find another meaningful shot on target, as a long-range lob from captain Anto Russell was the closest they came to an equaliser. Dundalk defended well under pressure and could well have got a killer third on the break, however, the final pass always lacked the necessary precision. Three games in six days obviously took its toll on Gill’s squad as they looked tired, however, a win is a win, and Dundalk can now take a well earned break having come through the week with a 100% record.

dundalkfc.com Man of the Match: IAN RYAN (Dundalk)…Only 20 years of age, Ian Ryan has very much caught the eye since signing from Shamrock Rovers in the close-season. Leading the votes for the ‘Player of the Month’ award for March prior to the game, Ryan was superb throughout, and needed to be as Dundalk came under pressure from Wexford in both halves. Ryan was key in defence as the hosts weathered an early storm, and was impressive throughout the second period as Wexford sniffed blood after pulling a goal back. They were unable to find their way past the home backline again, however, as Ryan led the line brilliantly after the side lost captain Aidan Lynch to injury. With Ben Whelehan also due to return, manager John Gill now has another welcome headache.

MATCH STATS:
Goals: 2-1
Shots: 13-11
Shots ON Target: 3-7
Shots OFF Target: 10-4
Fouls Committed: 20-14
Corners: 6-9
Offsides: 1-2
Yellow Cards: 1-2
Red Cards: 0-0

Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).
Attendance: Approx. 1,500.

Dundalk FC (4-4-2): Chris Bennion; John Flanagan, Aidan Lynch (Paul Marney 57), Ian Ryan, David Crawley; Jamie Duffy, Paul Crowley, Paul Shiels, Davie O’Connor; Trevor Vaughan (Robbie Farrell 89), Robbie Martin (Tiarnàn Mulvenna 83).
Goals: J Flanagan (20), R Martin (24).
Booked: J Flanagan (32).
Subs Not Used: Aaron Shanahan (GK), Paul Smyth.

Wexford Youths: Jason Russell; Anto Russell, Stuart Lawlor (Joey Wadding 44), Garrett Larkin, Tomas Hawkins (Craig McGuire 82), Conor Sinnott, Marty Kelly, Liam O’Loughlin (Darren Browne 75), Gavin Doyle, Richie Fitzgerald, Patsy Malone.
Booked: G Doyle (90), C Sinnott (90+3).
Subs Not Used: Ricky Fox, Kyle Dempsey.