Finn Harps suffer defeat away to Wexford after initially taking the lead

Wexford FC 2 Finn Harps 1

Ajibola Oluwabiyi’s first goal for Wexford FC earned them a vital victory in their bid to make the SSE Airtricity League First Division play-off places as they came from behind to edge out Finn Harps in their SSE Airtricity League First Division clash in Ferrycarrig Park.

The exciting winger struck the decisive goal with less six minutes remaining, to add to Mikie Rowe’s penalty shortly after the interval which had cancelled out Idir Zerrouk’s 42nd minute opener.

Stephen Elliott’s side hadn’t tasted victory since the end of June, when they memorably fought back from 3-1 down at half-time with ten men to eventually prevail 4-3 against Kerry FC.

This may not have been quite so dramatic, but it was just as important against a Harps side that came into the contest in decent form, having lost only one of their previous eight league and cup outings.

Wexford made three changes from the side that lost 3-2 to Dundalk in Oriel Park last time out, with Muhammad Haris, Zayd Abada and Ryan Butler coming in for Aaron Dobbs, Kaylem Harnett and Michael McCarthy respectively, while the visitors went with the same starting eleven that drew 2-2 with Cobh Ramblers.

The home side had the better of it in terms of possession and chances created in the opening half, and their first sight of goal came with seven minutes on the clock when Oluwabiyi fizzed a curling shot narrowly over the crossbar after Ben McCormack’s initial effort had been blocked.

Wexford threatened again ten minutes later when Mikie Rowe linked up well with full-back Ryan Butler and the winger whipped in a cross that was just behind McCormack, and he couldn’t generate any power on his header, which was comfortably gathered by Corey Sheridan.

The goalkeeper’s gloves were warmed again in the 27th minute as he showed a safe pair of hands to gather a well-struck Mikie Rowe free-kick, after Muhammad Haris had drawn a foul.

However, after soaking up plenty of pressure, the Donegal side struck the front less than four minutes before the break. The lively Gradi Lomboto slid a low pass into Idir Zerrouk, and he skipped past a challenge before slotting the ball to the net.

The home side almost had an instant response when Mikie Rowe pulled the ball back to Muhammad Haris, but the striker’s shot deflected wide of the right post.

Aaron Dobbs entering the fray after the break illustrated Wexford’s attacking intent, but it was Harps that created the first opening of the half, although Lomboto’s low shot less than a minute in was comfortably gathered by goalkeeper Paul Martin.

It didn’t take long for Dobbs to make his mark, however. In the 50th minute he came agonisingly close to drawing his side level, forcing a superb save from Sheridan after getting on the end of Zayd Abada’s floated cross and seconds later he played a crucial role as the Slaneysiders did restore parity.

The Enniscorthy man knocked a deft through ball for his strike partner Haris to run on to and, when his effort was stopped by the hand of Joel Bradley-Walsh, referee Lucas Keating had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Up stepped Mikie Rowe and he calmly slotted home from 12 yards for his 17th goal of the season.

Two minutes later Dobbs was eyeing a goal himself when he was played in by Matthew O’Brien, but his first-time shot from a tight angle was easily saved by Sheridan.

Oluwabiyi then showed good feet to win a free-kick on the edge of the area, with Rowe having another pop at goal and rattling the crossbar, while at the other end, a long-range stinging set-piece from Bradley-Walsh had to be dealt with by Martin shortly before the hour mark.

Matthew O’Brien’s excellent effort from distance was deflected past the right post with 15 minutes remaining after Oluwabiyi rolled the ball back into his path.

The home side continued to look the more likely to get a winner and the busy Oluwabiyi was again heavily involved in the final third in the 80th minute, doing well on the left wing before firing a ball across the face of goal that just needed a touch.

It was fitting that it was Oluwabiyi that made the match-winning contribution with just in the 84th minute. Robbie McCourt strode forward with intent and slipped the ball through to the attacker, who fired a powerful finish to the net.

Wexford FC: Paul Martin; Ryan Butler (Aaron Dobbs HT), Dean Larkin, Robbie McCourt (capt.), James Crawford (Cian Browne 81); Zayd Abada (Kaylem Harnett 70), Ben McCormack, Matthew O’Brien; Ajibola Oluwabiyi, Muhammad Haris (Calum Flynn, 81), Mikie Rowe. Subs not used: Alex Moody, Darragh Levingston, Filip Wasilewski, Michael McCarthy, Patrick Manning.

Finn Harps: Corey Sheridan; Josh Cullen, Conor Tourish, Joel Bradley-Walsh, Kieran Cooney (Gavin Gilmore 90); Oran Brogan (Kevin Jordan 90); Tony McNamee (capt.) (Gavin McAteer, 79), Max Hutchinson; Idir Zerrouk, Hans Kamta Mpongo, Gradi Lomboto. Subs not used: Lorenzo Piaia Barbosa, Darragh Coyle, , Adam McDaid, Daniel Cunningham, Seaghan McCormick, Ibrahima-Pokou Bangoura.

Referee: Lucas Keating.