Athlone

[ForzaForth]

Headed equaliser from Deano in last attack of the match secured Wexford's first home league point of the season in front of delirious home fans after thirteen attempts in Ferrycarrig tonight. In a match played in an intermittent downpour, Noel made two changes at full-back at the start of the match with Packie, Eoin Kinsella, Murt, Karl, James Dermody, Grinny, Danny, Shane D., Deano and Darragh and Ben up front. Both sides were better going forward than defending which led to numerous chances for both teams and a draw was a reasonable result. After five, an Athlone through ball put Ryan in the clear but Packie blocked the attempted lob outside the box with his chest. Ben then had a near post chance from a corner but couldn't keep it on target. After ten, a blocked clearance produced a three-on-one defender for Athlone but the shot was dragged just wide.

[ForzaForth]

After 13, a neat through-ball split the Wexford defence and Ryan ran on to beat Packie neatly for 1-0 to the visitors. With 25 gone, Grinny had a real chance when a cross from the left from Deano found him in the clear about ten out on the right, but his low first-time shot was blocked by Schlingermann for a corner. Wexford mostly dominated the rest of the half and, just after the half-hour, Darragh also had a clear shot at the near post from a cross, but again he kept it low to give Schlingermann a chance and it was parried away. Athlone were doing well down the right with Jason Hughes and he found space about ten before half-time but his cross couldn't find any of the Athlone runners. With five to go, Wexford got a deserved equaliser when a through ball put Darragh away and he put it away neatly wide of the Athlone keeper for 1-1. Think it's Darragh first of the season after starting about 15 matches up front but well-deserved. Athlone then threatened again down the right just before the blow but the first effort was blocked and the rebound was curled beyond the far post for 1-1 at half time.

[ForzaForth]

Second half started slowly and after ten, Tommy Barrett came on for Higgins for Athlone. Two minutes later, Grinny won the ball from an Athlone defender but his low hot was again blocked by Schlingermann for a corner. Athlone's first attack of the half then secured the lead at 2-1 when they found loadsaspace down the left for the attacker to draw Packie and then square for McGee to slot home. Shane Nolan then came on for Eoin Kinsella for Wexford and with twenty-five gone, Schlingermann surprisingly spilt a low cross from the left by Deano for Danny to show his predatory instincts and lift it neatly home over the Athlone keeper for 2-2. With ten to go, Patsy came on for Ben for Wexford and Sherlock came on for Rush for Athlone.

[ForzaForth]

With almost his first touch, Sherlock got what looked like the winner when a quick free-kick by Athlone without the ref. whistling found Sherlock in the clear behind the Wexford defence and he pushed it past a stranded Packie for 3-2 to the visitors. A minute later, Packie did very well to push away a point-blank near-post header from an Athlone corner. Just as the three minutes injury-time came up, Tom Elmes came on for Murt. With the last attack of the game, Shane Nolan won a free kick midway inside the Athlone half and it was swung into the Athlone box where Deano met it with a fine glancing header to beat Schlingermann and reach the net off the inside of the left-hand post. Athlone brought the ball back to the half-way for the ref. to blow it up immediately for 3-3 final score.

[ForzaForth]

Best for Wexford in match with plenty of chances for both sides were Darragh up front, Deano wide left and Danny in midfield. Shane D. again mixed some very good passing with some over-ambitious stuff but you can't fault his effort. For Athlone, OBrien and Hughes were very useful down the right while Sherlock looked as if he could have done more damage if he had been longer on the pitch. About 120 hardy souls at the match in woeful weather.

[cornflakes]

After 13 home league defeats it was nice to finally get a home point. Still a bit shaky at the back at times, I thought James Dermody played well and looks a good signing. We look better with Shane Dempsey in the middle now too even with some wayward passing.

I dont think I've been to a match this year when it hasn't rained or been absolutely freezing.

[Youths4Ever]

Thought Dermody did very well, Deano is a much better playing midfield than defence but still not sure about Shane Dempseny one to many passes going wrong but he does have something just not sure what. Glad Darragh got a goal even though he has been playing well since Waterford game in RSC always good for a strikers confidence to get on the score sheet