Jaden Umeh becomes Cork City's youngest ever senior goal scorer at 16 years and 14 days in their draw with Wexford

Wexford 1 

Cork City 1 

CORK CITY'S youngest senior goal scorer 16-year-old (and 14 days) Jaden Umeh’s first senior goal for the Rebel Army wasn’t enough for Tim Clancy's side as they failed to hold onto the lead against Wexford in Ferrycarrig Park on Easter Monday. 

The draw means that City remain unbeaten after eight league games but have now recorded just one away victory in four games.

Similar to their away performances this season, City were good for 45 minutes and average for the other 45 minutes, and Wexford deserved their point.

Tim Clancy freshened up the team by making four changes to the side that defeated Athlone Town on Friday night with Cian Bargary, Cian Murphy, Barry Coffey and Umeh coming into the side.

Those changes paid dividends after only three minutes when Bargary was positive when collecting possession just over the halfway line by driving at Wexford’s fullback, before crossing a low ball to Umeh, who placed the ball into the bottom corner. 

It was a composed finish by the 16-year-old who used the pace of Bargary’s cross to guide the ball into the net.

City almost doubled their advantage when Bargary sent in a long-throw which found the head of Cian Coleman, who did very well to generate power on his header, but his effort went just wide of the post.

It was a better performance from City early on in the game than we have seen from them in recent matches with the visitors looking more purposeful in their attack. 

Murphy's inclusion was making a difference to City, with the striker willing to chase every ball for his team. 

He wasn’t making anything easy for defenders and City weren’t afraid to use Murphy’s pace by playing the ball in behind defenders into the space.

City’s midfield were impressive on what was a dry bobbly pitch in Ferrycarrig Park with Greg Bolger, Evan McLaughlin and Coffey, controlling the tempo of the game. 

Wexford had clearly not watered the pitch in a bid to disrupt City, however the Rebel Army adapted to the tricky conditions very well.

Coffey should have added to the scoreline towards the end of the half when he was gifted a free header just inside the Wexford six-yard penalty area but he mistimed his jump and headed over the crossbar.

City had an early opportunity in the second-half when Murphy teed-up McLaughlin on the edge of the area with the midfielder opted to strike first time, when taking a touch might have been a better option, as his tame strike was straight at Owen Mason.

Wexford made two changes at half-time and one of those, Thomas Oluwa, almost levelled the game when he found himself unmarked in the box, but Coleman did well to get across and deflect Oluwa’s strike out for a corner.

It was certainly better from Wexford in the second-half as they were the side on top in the match. 

The hosts were back on level terms when Aaron Dobbs crossed low across the box and Mikey Rowe was able to get across his man and tap into the net to give Wexford a deserved equaliser.

The goal caused a reaction from City with Coffey and McLaughlin forcing Mason into a double save. 

The Wexford keeper spilled Coffey’s effort but was quick in his reaction to narrow the angle for McLaughlin and prevent the City player from restoring his side’s lead.

Wexford: Mason; Webb, O’Malley, Boyle, McCann (Oluwa 46); Levingston (Lovic 46), Dobbs, Harnett (Curtis 84), Hanratty, Corbally; Rowe.

Cork City: Wade, Nevin, Coleman, Lyons, O’Donovan; Bolger, McLaughlin, Coffey; Bargary (O’ Sullivan 61), Murphy, Umeh (Fitzpatrick 61).

Referee: D Carolan.