U.17 Soccer

Wexford CBS 2 – 2 Enniscorthy CBS

Supersub Creane to the rescue as Bokerboys prove point.

Wexford CBS hosted Enniscorthy CBS at home in the league and had a point to prove after their dismal defeat earlier in the season. They certainly managed to do that on this day as they dominated the game for the majority, but still had to rely on two late goals from Matthew Creane to snatch a draw. Wexford began this game in Wexford Bohs pitch in impressive fashion really taking the fight to their unsuspecting opponents. Right from the off the front pairing of Cullen and Rockett combined to cause serious problems for the Enniscorthy backline. Sam O’Neill on the right wing forced the Enniscorthy keeper into a good save early on. Liam Rockett flicked on a header into the path of Gary Cullen soon after and the home captain probably had too much time to think as in his one on one position he fired a shot straight at the grateful Enniscorthy keeper. Liam Rockett was also guilty of wasting a one on one effort as the Bokerboys enjoyed a dominant spell with nothing to show for it. Enniscorthy do have some quality players and began to gradually get into the game with 5 minutes remaining in the half, some weak defensive play from Wexford was punished with moments to go in the first half on their left hand side, giving the ball to the Enniscorthy full back who played a neat pass to their right winger who whipped in a delightful cross which was met with a close range header to give Enniscorthy the lead at half time. A harsh lesson yet again for the Bokerboys.

The second half began with the Bokerboys really taking the game to their opponents some fine link up play between Liam Rockett again put in Cullen this time however he hit a wonderful strike for the bottom corner which forced a fantastic save from the away keeper to keep the home side scoreless. Enniscorthy were awarded a somewhat fortunate penalty 10 minutes into the second half as Ryan Byrne slid to dispossess an Enniscorthy attacker, the striker made the most of it and his squeals certainly convinced the ref. Enniscorthy made no mistake from the spot 2-0. Wexford rang the changes and really had to push up everything in search of a way back into this game and top spot in the group. Matthew Creane felt aggrieved not to be awarded a penalty with 15 minutes remaining as he latched onto a fine pass from fellow sub Luke O’Neill knocking it round the keeper before being taken down, but somehow the penalty was not awarded. Wexford were all over the away side and time and time again the Enniscorthy keeper pulled off save after save looking to be unbeatable. With just 2 minutes remaining Matthew Creane got on the end of a Luke O’Neill cross and finished coolly 2-1. With full time just about to arrive Liam Rockett did brilliantly to dispossess the right back before firing in a hopeful cross which Creane again got control of before calmly sidestepping one defender and finishing to level the scorelines and snatch a crucial point for the Bokerboys.  A draw was the least they deserved but the boys will certainly take it at this stage, having been two goals down with minutes remaining, this was a game where the substitutes really showed their value as the renewed vigour and energy they gave the team left Enniscorthy breathless, had this game gone on any longer it certainly would’ve resulted in a home victory. Best on the day for the CBS were Ryan Byrne, Liam Rockett, Luke O’Neill and of course man of the moment Matthew Creane.

Wexford CBS: Adam Dempsey (Wexford Albion), Aaron McGuire (North End), Jason Nolan (North End), Ryan Byrne (Wexford Bohs), Ben Butler (Wexford Albion), Sam O’Neill (Wexford Albion), Lee Busher(Wexford Youths),  Cormac Byrne(North End),  Dylan Ennis (North End), Gary Cullen (North End), Liam Rockett (Curracloe Utd), Subs: Matthew Creane (Wexford Bohs) for Ennis, Craig Kelly (Wexford Bohs) for Butler, Luke O’Neill (Wexford Albion) for S.O’Neill, Adam Carroll (Wexford Albion) for McGuire, Dion Murphy (Wexford Albion) for C.Byrne