Dundalk FC :: Match Reports

2nd November 2007// Wexford Youths 0-0 Dundalk // Defences on top in Wexford

Promotion hopefuls Dundalk and struggling Wexford Youths played out an uninspiring 90 minutes of football in this drab scoreless draw at the Youths’ Sports Complex last Friday evening, as despite their large amounts of possession in the second-half, the Lilywhites, who recorded their first away clean-sheet in over three months, failed to break down a resilient home defence.

Wexford could have and should have opened the scoring on six minutes, however, after getting past goalkeeper Chris Bennion, Gavin Doyle found Stephen Quigley, who lined out at left-back, in the way. That was to prove the hosts’ best chance of the entire game, and it was a miss that almost cost them dearly as the visitors’ strike partnership of Philip Hughes and Robbie Doyle both went close in either half.

For the long trip south, manager John Gill made four changes to the side that lost 2-0 to Limerick at Oriel the previous week. Out went the dropped trio of Thomas McGauley, Paul Smyth and Trevor Vaughan, along with the suspended Paul Marney. Replacing that quartet was David Crawley, who returned from suspension, Stephen Quigley, Robbie Dunne and Philip Hughes. Winger Keith Dunne also came back into the squad after serving a one-game ban, though the 25-year-old had to be content with a place on the bench.

A quiet opening to the game saw little goalmouth action, though the Youths created a chance from nowhere on six minutes, as a through ball by Marty Kelly sent Gavin Doyle in on goal. However, after rounding Bennion, amid appeals for a penalty kick, the striker saw his attempt blocked behind for a corner by Quigley. In a half where both defences came out on top, the only other clear chance saw Robbie Doyle go close at the other end. Hughes picked up possession on the right-wing and sent in a low cross to the back stick, a delivery which the ex-Bohs man failed by inches to convert.

At half-time, the boss, who earlier had to withdraw Quigley after only 18 minutes, was again forced into a change, as Keith Dunne replaced John Flanagan. Following the resumption, Dundalk began to hold more possession, but it wasn’t until the 62nd minute that they created an opening. Doyle headed down a Keith cross to the feet of Shaun Williams, however, the youngster fluffed his lines from close range, with ‘keeper Pa Doyle gathering on the line.

Dundalk continued on the front foot as they pinned Wexford back inside their own half, though another clear opportunity didn’t arrive until ten minutes from time. And, it was a chance that should have resulted in the winner, as Hughes saw his powerful shot cleared off the line by defender, Anthony Rossiter. Nearly all the possession between then and the final whistle failed to yield another meaningful shot on target for the Lilywhites, who now have just one more league game to prepare for the promotion playoff against either Cobh Ramblers or Finn Harps on 16 November.

Match Fact: This draw means that Wexford have now taken points off all nine of their opponents in their first year in the league!

Man of the Match: Cathal O’Connor (Dundalk).
Referee: Tom Connolly (Dublin).
Attendance: Approx. 700.

Wexford Youths: Patrick Doyle; Stuart Lawlor (Anthony Russell 54), Anthony Rossiter, Garrett Larkin, Joey Wadding, Marty Kelly (Darren Browne 90), Liam O'Loughlin, Richie Fitzgerald (Lloyd Colfer 71), Gavin Doyle, Conor Sinnott, Johnny Flynn-O'Connor.
Booked: G Doyle (81).

Dundalk FC (4-4-2): Chris Bennion; John Flanagan (Keith Dunne HT), Aidan Lynch, David Crawley, Stephen Quigley (Cormac McArdle 18); Cathal O’Connor, Robbie Dunne, Shaun Williams, Shane Grimes; Philip Hughes, Robbie Doyle (Trevor Vaughan 67).
Booked: C O’Connor (22), R Dunne (29), J Flanagan (41), D Crawley (72).
Subs Not Used: Neil Gallagher (GK), Paul Smyth.