U.17 Soccer

Wexford CBS 3 – 1 Bridgetown V.C

Wexford CBS finished out their group campaign with a win at home to Bridgetown V.C. which ensured top place in the group and thus sees them progress straight to the semi-final where they await the winners of Arklow CBS vs Presentation Bray. In the first half the Bokerboys blew their opponents away playing some truly exceptional football as they completely dominated the game and moved the ball about with ease. After a number of saves were forced by the Birdgetown keeper, Matthew Creane guilty of missing the best of these chances the CBS took the lead in style, a lovely ball played into the box from distance by left back Craig Kelly was knocked down by Luke O’Neill via deft touch into the path of the onrushing Liam Rockett who smacked in a vicious volley which left the away keeper helpless as it sailed into the side of the net 1-0. The home side soon added another after a fine flowing football move with Gary Cullen taking possession outside of the box side-stepping two players before lobbing the keeper from the edge of the box. The CBS were dominating possession and were soon caught napping as Bridgetown hit them on the break playing a fine ball in past the Bokerboys defence over the top and their striker lobbed the outrushing Adam Dempsey to bring the away side into the game. Wexford were guilty of falling asleep Matthew Creane soone redoubled the lead however as he gained possession on the edge of the box, he took on two players before drilling home a low shot past the keeper into the bottom corner 3-1. The half came to a close with the Bokerboys coming close to adding yet another on a few occasions after an exceptional performance.

This was a game of two halves however as the second half saw an entirely different Bridgetown side who really took the game to the CBS with a very direct style of play. They put the lads under serious pressure and some resolute defending was required from centre-halves Ryan Byrne and Jason Nolan with Adam Dempsey comfortably dealing with the long range efforts the boys restricted them to. The CBS could not get a rhythm going at all Dylan Ennis fired over from close range when really he should’ve sored from a rare CBS breakaway but the game was now seeing Bridgetown in need of a result to stay in the competition giving all they had, credit to them for their effort but also to the defence of the Bokerboys who held strong as the game wound down and finished 3-1. A game of two halves for the CBS and a lesson learned about taking things for granted, best on the day for the CBS were the entire team (First Half), Ryan Byrne, Jason Nolan and Matthew Creane.

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