Cork City score twice in second half to beat Wexford 3-1 and go 15 points clear at the top

Wexford 1 

Cork City 3 

Two wonder goals from Cathal O’Sullivan ensured that it was third time lucky for Cork City against Wexford, as the Rebel Army secured their first victory over the Leinster side this season at Ferrycarrig Park on Thursday night. 

Having drawn their previous two games against Wexford, it looked like it would be more dropped points against them for City when they fell behind inside four minutes. 

However O’Sullivan produced two moments of magic to show once again when he is so highly spoken of in the game, with Jack Doherty adding a third goal in injury time.

The victory also saw City stretch their lead at the top of the table to 15 points after Athlone Town defeated UCD, with the midlanders now City closest rival in the table.

City made two changes from the side that narrowly defeated Bray Wanderers in their last outing.

O’Sullivan returned for his first start since the middle of May, with Arran Healy the other player to come into the starting 11. 

Sean Murray and Josh Fitzpatrick dropped out of the side, with the former omitted from the matchday squad after he picked up a dead leg in that Bray game. 

There was also a place for Jack Doherty amongst the substitutes after the City player and his partner had welcomed their second-child earlier in the week.

Wexford were ahead in the fourth minute after a quick counter-attack from a City corner.

Darragh Crowley was careless in possession and Wexford broke through the pace of Thomas Oluwa who squared perfectly for Aaron Dobbs, and the Wexford player showed good composure to slot past Brad Wade in the City goal.

The dry pitch made it difficult for City to play the ball quickly along the surface with the Rebel Army frequently looking to play the ball into the space behind the Wexford fullbacks.

O’Sullivan showed yet again why he is so highly valued with City’s equalising goal after the 17- year-old produced wonderful technique with his weaker foot to volley Evan Mclaughlin’s cross into the roof of the net from close-range giving Alex Moody no chance in the Wexford goal.

The goal certainly settled the Rebel Army with the team more dominant and comfortable in possession after it. 

The triangle of Greg Bolger, Cian Coleman and Charlie Lyons was once again noticeable with Wexford struggling to get any sort of pressure on the trio.

Despite controlling possession, City were causing Wexford very little trouble. 

The hosts were disciplined in their shape with City struggling to play through it. 

A lot of their attacks were more hopeful than promising with their play constantly breaking down in the final-third.

The sides went in level at half-time which was a fair reflection of the opening 45 minutes.

Neither side created any real chances apart from the goals. City had the majority of possession but Wexford were very good without the ball. Both teams looked most dangerous when going direct and picking up second balls.

O’Sullivan had City in front in the first minute of the second-half with another wonder-goal. 

The attacker received the ball out wide before cutting inside, skipping past two Wexford players on his way, and curled the ball beautifully into the far corner of the net, outdoing his first-half strike.

Malik Dijksteel should have at least hit the target after Barry Coffey had picked the attacker out but the Dutchman lacked composure in front of goal and fired well wide of the target.

Doherty got City’s third goal of the evening in injury time when he was played through on goal before finishing convincingly to cap off an excellent week for him.

Wexford: Mason;Webb (Curtis 84), McHale, Temple, Lynch (Hanratty 56); Levingston (Harnett 64), Corbally, Boyle, Dobbs, Rowe; Oluwa.

Cork City: Wade; Crowley, Coleman, McLaughlin; Bolger, Coffey (Nevin 64), Healy (Doherty 64); O’Sullivan, Murphy, Dijksteel (Drinan 64).

Referee: L Keating.