Mikie Rowe’s spectacular goal 15 minutes into the first half gives Cobh the advantage going into the second leg of their First Division Play-Off Semi-Final against Wexford.

We have had some seriously entertaining contests between these two this season and it did again not disappoint in Ferrycarrig. Very much cagey with Wexford denied by Lee Steacy and Dean Larkin from taking a goal to leeside on Saturday.

Rowe scored direct from a corner kick, maybe a degree of fortune but nevertheless the on loan man from Galway has given Cobh the chance to fight for promotion. Jack Doherty looked electric out to torment his former side as Charlie Heffernan had to deny him on several occasions, Rowe however was the shining light for the Cork side.

The early exchanges were lively with the hosts having a fair share of early chances, Reece Webb made a swashbuckling run down the right wing, cutting the ball back to Darragh Levingston on the edge of the area, his shot flashed past the Cobh net. 

Webb was causing issues down the right flank but Lee Steacy had issues in the area trying to grab a floated ball into the area, Thomas Oluwa was wrestling for possession with Ethan Boyle having a shot that went over another big chance in the early minutes.

Former Wexford man Jack Doherty stung the palms of Charlie Heffernan from a free kick for the first major chance the hosts had in the 12th minute. Three minutes later they took the lead, Mikie Rowe’s inswinging corner on the right wing was not dealt with by a Wexford man and nestled in the back of the net. 

Wexford almost fashioned an immediate reply with Corban Piper striking a first time effort toward goal, Steacy was able to save. Cobh almost doubled their lead past the midway point, Doherty looked to find Wilson Waweru but the prolific forward just could not connect with the strike. Doherty again forced Heffernan into a save shy of the half hour mark as Cobh really were causing a lot of danger in the opening half.

Rowe struck the crossbar after 32 minutes looking to double the lead and notch his second of play, Wexford were really on the back foot, it was however still very tight between the two, we have seen some very high scoring contests this term already when these slides have met, Wexford however were behind by one at the interval.

Wexford were applying much of the pressure early in the second half, having tested the Wexford goal early, they almost levelled matters in the 57th minute but Dean Larkin made a vital clearance off the line. Aaron Dobbs took the ball to the edge of the area and struck a shot that Steacy saved, the rebound fell to Kian Corbally, his effort was again saved, the ball looked on its way over the line despite Steacy getting a hand, Larkin hacked it away to keep the tie in Cobh’s favour.

As the second half wore on both sides were knocking the ball around well to apply pressure on the other, chances however were limited and the advantage is with Cobh at St Colman’s Park on Saturday.