Senior Soccer

Gorey C.S....1  Wexford C.B.S.....3

On Tuesday the 16^th of October the senior soccer side of Wexford CBS came away from Gorey with a precious 3 points after an intense game. Gorey away is always going to be a tough game, and the Bokerboys will have learned a lot about themselves from this encounter.

Gorey began the game brightly and put the CBS defence under pressure from the off. The CBS coped with this with Evan Dunbar and Emmett Fox emerging as real leaders at the back. CBS began to find their feet in the game and pushed forward down the wings, left back Eoin Doyle took on two Gorey defenders before being taken down in the box but the referee judged that it was not to be a penalty. Almost straight away Gorey responded with a quick counter attack and played an excellent through ball into an onrushing centre forward who faced keeper Joe Coleman in a one on one situation with the CBS keeper bravely coming out to block the Gorey effort and keep the game scoreless. The game was proving to be a very tense affair with neither side getting a real hold of proceedings with the ball remaining around the midfield area in a real battle for possession and the upper hand. The Gorey side did manage to create a good opening after about 20 minutes but again Joe Coleman produced a great save to deny another one on one opportunity and keep the teams’ level. CBS now began to press their opponents and forced a couple of corners but were unable to test the Gorey keeper, Richie Kearney was working well as the lone striker and held up the ball well but a very solid Gorey backline were protecting their keeper well. Some fantastic football was on display as there was no real difference between the sides and it looked as if it would take a moment of magic to separate them.

That moment of magic soon arrived and the Bokerboys took the lead. Eoghan Whitty was at the heart of everything good from the CBS going forward and he played a delightful cross field pass to Richie Kearney just inside the Gorey half, Kearney caught a glimpse of the Gorey keeper standing at the edge of his box and from wide left on the field he controlled the ball well and attempted an audacious effort with his weaker left foot which hit the far top corner of the net for a truly spectacular goal. CBS looked to double their lead before the interval with Sean Stafford driving through the middle of the field before firing a well-placed effort towards the top corner of the net but saw his effort saved by a remarkable save from Gorey’s Irish international keeper. Gorey responded very well and were unlucky not to level the scores before half time as a combination of luck and resolute defending kept them at bay. Having done all the hard work their number ten managed to beat the keeper but not the crossbar at first and Emmett Fox blocked another goalbound effort on the line before the halftime whistle arrived.

Wexford began the second half in much better fashion as they looked to add another goal. Substitute Mark Doyle began very brightly and on two occasions made space for a shot but was unfortunate not to hit the target. Some excellent football was on display and both the defences were on top with very few chances being created at either end. Gorey broke well down the right wing and hit a neat cross but their attacker unfortunately couldn’t get enough on the ball and it skimmed off his head and away from danger. CBS broke from this with Lar Stoutt finding substitute Darragh Rossiter and the Bokerboys countered well but again couldn’t get a clear shot off. The CBS did add a second with about 15 minutes remaining, Gorey were at this stage pushing up in desperate search of an equaliser and leaving gaps at the back, Eoghan Whitty exploited that gap with a precise ball over the top for Sean Stafford who latched onto the pass and found himself in a one on one position from which he made no mistake in adding a second 2-0!! The Bokerboys were delighted at having deservedly added to their lead. Gorey responded almost immediately, they received a free wide on the left and swung in a dangerous ball which was met at the back post with a well-placed headed effort to make it 2-1 with ten minutes remaining. Wexford CBS upped their performance at this stage and did not allow Gorey back near their goal, after some good work down the right wing Darragh Rossiter was fouled. Up stepped Richie Kearney and from another tough angle fired in a looping effort which beat the keeper and found the top corner,almost as good as his first, 3-1 the score and the boys couldn’t hide their excitement as only extra time remained.  They almost celebrated too much as Gorey took a quick tip and only for a rash tackle from Eoin Doyle would have been in for a second goal. The CBS defended resolutely until the final whistle to take all 3 points from a very tough game. The CBS have started this season very well and yet again the attitude and workrate of the team was exemplary. Next up is a tough fixture away to Bridgetown but if the boys continue with this effort they will have no reason to be fearful. It would be very difficult to choose a player of the match from this game as it was such an excellent team performance with everyone playing their part, Joe Coleman did well to keep us in the game, the centre half pairing of Emmett Fox and Evan Dunbar were immense throughout, Eoghan Whitty created a lot for the side throughout the game, and Richie Kearney of course had a part to play with those special goals.

Wexford CBS: Joe Coleman (Forth Celtic), Lar Stoutt (North End), Evan Dubar (North End), Emmet Fox (Crossabeg), Eoin Doyle (Wexford Youths), Adam Roche (Wexford Celtic), Eoghan Whitty (Wexford Bohs), Jamie MacDonnell (Wexford Celtic), Sean Stafford (Forth Celtic), Cian Doyle (Wexford Celtic), Richie Kearney (North End), Subs: Mark Doyle (Wexford Celtic) for C.Doyle, Darragh Rossiter (Wexford Youths) for Roche, Eoin MacDonald (Wexford Celtic) for Whitty, Jessie Farrell (North End) for Stafford also Shane McGrath(Wexford Bohs), Dylan Dixon (Curracloe), John Hamilton (Forth Celtic)