Athlone

[ForzaForth]

Comfortable win in the end for Athlone against a Wexford side devoid of ideas or craft to break the Athlone defence down. Noel gave Robert Vickers a start and began 4-5-1 with Packie, Shane, Murt, Deano, Robert, Ben, Craig, Patsy, Danny and Dara up front on his own. First half was a poor affair, but shaded by Athlone, on a lively pitch with Wexford usually content to put their foot through the ball at every opportunity. After ten, Hughes got a yellow for Athlone for blocking a free-kick. After twenty, a dangerous cross by Athlone wasn't reached by the oncoming Athlone forward. Five later, Danny, who looks uncomfortable playing wide left, was switched into the centre with Ben going wide. Dara then had Wexford's only chance of the half when he shot over from an acute angle when the ball dropped to him suddenly. Shane then made a great last-ditch tackle inside the box to stop an Athlone attack and the half ended 0-0 with Wexford grafting but showing little else.

[ForzaForth]

Second half began with Wexford's only moment of quality in the final third when the ball fell to Ben outside the box and he evaded the first defender to hit a low shot against the base of the post with Collopy, the Athlone keeper, beaten. Ten later, Athlone got their first when a neat move on the left put Sherlock in the clear and he slotted it easily past Packie for 1-0. Two later, an identical neat move, this time down the right, put Hughes in the clear and he again slotted it easily past Packie for 2-0. With 25 to go, Anto Russell made a welcome return as a sub. with Tom Elmes for Dara and Robert. Patsy then got a yellow for a tackle and was replaced almost immediately by Greg. However, nothing was happening for Wexford up front and, with a few minutes to go, Danny looking very frustrated had a yellow changed to red by the referee presumably for dissent. Game petered out after that for a final score of 2-0 to Athlone.

[ForzaForth]

Best for Wexford on a very disappointing night were probably Packie, who did nothing wrong in goal, and Shane at right back. Based on that performance, difficult to see where Wexford's next points are coming from and key game of the second series of league matches looks to be the game away to Salthill in early August.