Wexford Youths 0-1 Bohemians
Ismahil Akinade scored for the second week running to help maintain Bohemians' revival with a deserved victory at Ferrycarrig Park.
And but for the heroics of Youths' captain and goalkeeper Graham Doyle, who made a string of fine saves, Keith Long’s Gypsies would have won by more.
Bohemians, who were late arriving having been delayed on their way down due to an accident on the motorway, made just one enforced change from the side that trounced St Patrick’s Athletic last week with Mark Quigley coming in for Jake Kelly.
Youths welcomed striker Danny Furlong back from the start following three weeks out with injury while Gary Delaney also returned in central defence.
And it was Youths who had the first sight of goal two minutes in, Chris Kenny not far over Dean Delany’s bar with an overhead from Craig McCabe’s long throw.
Bohemians responded with Keith Buckley putting Akinade in on goal down the inside right channel three minutes later. The big striker sliced his shot wide.
Following referee Ben Connolly having to be replaced by fourth official Andrew Mullally due to injury, Akinade was more accurate, bringing the first stop of the night from Doyle with a crisp volley.
Bohemians then got a hold on the game as Mark Quigley shot over the top from Dave Mulcahy’s lay off from Kurtis Byrne’s corner before the visitors’ deservedly took the lead on 34 minutes for what would prove teh only goal of the game.
Buckley threaded Akinade in on goal and he slipped the ball past the advancing Doyle for a composed finish.
Sloppy defending should have resulted in Bohemians extending their lead right on 45 minutes.
McCabe allowed Buckley arced ball from the right to go in behind him for Byrne whose volley produced another fine parry save from Doyle.
In the six minutes of added time at the end of the half, Doyle was there again to get down low to his right to save a drive from Quigley as Bohemians remained very much on top.
Quigley again brought the best out of Doyle two minutes into the second half with a dipping volley.
And yet again the Youths captain came to his side’s rescued minutes later.
Kurtis Byrne put Buckley in on goal with Doyle off his line superbly to save at the winger’s feet. Akinade blazed the rebound way over the top.
Youths pressed late on but the nearest they came to an equaliser was a tame header from Paul Murphy which was comfortably dealt with by Delany.
Kurtis Byrne almost extended Bohemians lead deep in stoppage time; his right-foot effort curling inches wide of Doyle’s left-hand post.
Wexford Youths: Graham Doyle; Craig McCabe, Gary Delaney, Stephen Last (Ryan Delaney 42), Aidan Friel (Dany Ledwith 89); Eric Molloy, Chris Kenny, Jonny Bonner, Andy Mulligan (Shane Dunne 78); Danny Furlong, Paul Murphy.
Bohemians: Dean Delany; Dylan Hayes (Lorcn Fitzgerald 69), Daniel Byrne, Dave Mulcahy, Derek Pender; Keith Buckley, Eoin Wearen, Roberto Lopes, Kurtis Byrne; Mark Quigley (James Kavanagh 86), Ismahil Akinade.
Referee: Ben Connolly (Dublin) (Replaced by Andrew Mullally, 19)
