It took 120 minutes of football to separate these two Wexford football clubs…
Taking place in Ferrycarrig Park in Wexford on Thursday evening, the highly-anticipated Wexford FC Cup semi-final which was between title holders North End, and Gorey Rangers, didn’t disappoint.
In recent years, the two town sides have built up a healthy rivalry. That was the case last night too.
Gorey Rangers were the first to take the lead. A well-worked goal, down the right hand side of the pitch, was drilled low into the box. The North End goalkeeper did well, stopping an onrushing Paul Brennan shot, but Brennan was first to react to the rebound to put the North Wexford side 1-0 up.
Gorey Rangers played the better football in the first half, dominating possession and creating ample opportunities to extend their lead.
In the second-half, the tables turned in North End’s favour though. One could argue that Gorey Rangers started to sit off North End in the second-half, attempting to hold on to their lead and inviting the attack. However, from a different perspective, Gorey Rangers did not have much of a choice. North End dominated possession in the second-half and placed a lot of pressure on the Gorey Rangers defence as a result.
In the final stages of the game, around the 84th minute mark, up stepped North End’s Eoin Rhodes to slot the ball past Gorey ‘keeper, Conor Kinsella. It was a goal that they deserved too, with the general though the crowd being “it was coming”.
It was really a game of two halves, and despite North End’s dominance in the second-half, they afforded Gorey Rangers two clear-cut opportunities at the end. It didn’t prevail for Gorey Rangers though, and extra-time ensured.
In the first half of extra time, North End’s Eoin Rhodes punished the Gorey Rangers defence to see the Wexford town side go 2-1 up.
Although Gorey Rangers did have their chances to level the game and send it to penalties, they did not put them away. North End, who will be heavily tipped to win, will now be looking forward to a Wexford Cup final against Ferns United.
Even though North End may have won this game, it’s not the last we’re going to hear about this rivalry. Both sides are still battling it out for the Wexford Football League Premier Division title, and wins for both teams in their final games, could mean that they’ll be level on points – and that they may have to face each other in a play-off for the title.
Featured Image Credit: Sean Dempsey
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