Wexford FC’s six-game unbeaten run ends as they lose to UCD

Wexford FC’S inability to keep clean sheets was always destined to hurt them at some stage, and that time duly arrived in Ferrycarrig Park on Friday when UCD brought an end to their six-match unbeaten run in this SSE Airtricity League of Ireland First Division tie.

The warning signs had been there, even during that good run featuring three wins and three draws, because the team’s goalscoring exploits couldn’t hide a propensity for loose defending.

The students will have designs on making an immediate return to the top flight, and they were the better team in this game even though Wexford made them sweat with a determined late surge.

James Keddy’s side had won their first clash of the campaign in Belfield on a 2-1 scoreline, with that match marked by a debut goal for Seán McHale.

Unfortunately, that was the one and only appearance for the centre-half thus far as he was subsequently laid low with an injury, and it’s a pity that he wasn’t able to bed down and establish himself in an area of the field where Wexford always appear vulnerable.

They fell behind in this encounter in the 13th minute, and the circumstances were somewhat unfortunate for the hosts.

Left-back James Crawford picked up a facial injury in a clash with Alex Dunne that ultimately forced him off after receiving treatment.

And it was during that time – when Dr. Ravi Kumar was assessing his injury and Wexford were down to ten men – that UCD made the most of their numerical advantage.

Cian O’Malley blocked a shot by Danú Kinsella-Bishop at the expense of a corner. And when Ciarán Behan whipped it in from the right, centre-half Niall Holohan rose unchallenged to power home a header from close range.

Kaylem Harnett entered the fray to replace Crawford, starting on the left wing with Mark Hanratty stepping back to fill the gap left by their injured colleague.

And Wexford’s initial response to adversity was top notch, as they equalised in the 21st minute after Harnett won a corner on the left.

Another local favourite, Mikie Rowe, directed it towards the near post, and Cian O’Malley grabbed his second goal of the season with a well-directed header.

Unfortunately, the sides were only deadlocked for three minutes before UCD regained the lead.

Former Wexford FC player Adam Wells sent a cross from the left towards the near post, and Jake Doyle controlled it in the air with his first touch before volleying the dropping ball beyond Owen Mason for an excellent individual goal – but one that Wexford will be very annoyed to concede.

That’s how it remained up to half-time, with Ben Lynch called upon to make a vital recovery tackle in the 43rd minute after O’Malley was robbed by Danú Kinsella-Bishop.

Wexford were only inches away from equalising again almost 14 minutes into the second-half, with Harnett releasing Thomas Oluwa whose low ball across the face of goal from the left somehow stayed out.

Adam Wells seemed to get a crucial touch to nick it to safety, and the let-off undoubtedly drove UCD on as a strong spell of pressure approaching the end of the third quarter was eventually rewarded.

They had forced three corners in very quick succession before substitute Adam Verdon netted on the rebound, and that 3-1 advantage left Wexford’s unbeaten streak in serious jeopardy.

It took a brilliant Owen Mason save to prevent a fourth in the 86th minute, as Danú Kinsella-Bishop bore down on him in a one-on-one situation after a slide-rule pass from the UCD half saw him sneak in behind the centre-halves.

Wexford gave it one last push as five additional minutes were announced, and that positive approach was rewarded when substitute Cian Curtis secured his second goal of the campaign.

Kaylem Harnett had moved to right-back after Curtis replaced Reece Webb, who made his 50th club appearance, and the youngster hung a cross in the air that Ethan Boyle tried to add to with his head while facing away from goal.

The ball broke at the feet of Curtis, and his first-time left-footed strike found the far corner of the net and left Wexford with a few minutes to potentially add an equaliser.

And while they did launch three attacks, two resulted in free-kicks for UCD while a Curtis shot was blocked in between after a long throw from Cian O’Malley.

The outcome moved the Dubliners – who held Wexford pair Harry Curtis and Sam Norval in reserve on the bench – up to second spot in the table, seven points behind Cork City, while Wexford FC have been overtaken by Bray Wanderers on scoring difference but remain in a play-off challenging fifth spot, and with one game in hand on their Wicklow rivals.

And after being hit by that late sucker-punch from Longford Town last Tuesday, they will get a quick chance to atone when they travel to Bishopsgate for a Saturday night showdown at the midlands venue.

Wexford FC: Owen Mason; Reece Webb, Cian O’Malley, Ben Lynch, James Crawford; Ethan Boyle (capt.); Luka Lovic, Kian Corbally; Mark Hanratty, Thomas Oluwa, Mikie Rowe. Subs. – Kaylem Harnett for Crawford, inj. (15), Darragh Levingston for Lovic (54), Cian Curtis for Webb (74), also Alex Moody, Carl Lennox, Brandon McCann, Oisín McDonagh, Robbie O’Toole.

UCD: Kian Moore; Alex Dunne, Éanna Clancy (capt.), Niall Holohan, Adam Wells; Donal Higgins, Seán Brennan; Ciarán Behan, Jake Doyle, Mikey Raggett; Danú Kinsella-Bishop. Subs. – Adam Verdon for Doyle (51), Hugh Parker for Behan, inj. (78), Colin Bolton for Brennan (88), also Dara Kavanagh, Harry Curtis, Daniel McCarthy, Sam Norval, Cathal McCarthy, Adam Brennan.

Referee: Mark Moynihan (Cork).

AIRTRICITY LEAGUE FIRST DIVISION

P W D L F A PTS

Cork City 11 7 4 0 17 3 25

UCD 11 5 3 3 15 11 18

Finn Harps 11 5 3 3 12 9 18

Bray Wderers 11 4 3 4 20 18 15

Wexford FC 10 4 3 3 20 20 15

Athlone Town 11 4 3 4 14 17 15

Treaty Utd 10 3 3 4 10 10 12

Cobh Rblers 10 2 4 4 14 19 10

Kerry FC 11 1 6 4 10 12 9

Longford Tn 10 0 4 6 11 24 4