Athlone

[ForzaForth]

Deserved win by the away side in Ferrycarrig tonight as Athlone looked far more comfortable on the ball than the Youths who lost the ball far too much in their own and middle thirds, although there were very few chances overall. Youths started with Graham, Craig, CJ, Gary, Jimmy, Joey, Shane, Crokey, Caolan and with Tom and Graham up front. First fifteen or so was uneventful but with Athlone holding onto the ball better. First decent chance for Athlone came on 18 minuted when Gorman had a point-blank header from a good cross but Graham managed to get a hand up to keep it out. First shot for the Youths was on 21 minutes from Shane but it went over. Two later, Athlone claimed for a peno when Gorman went down in the box, but ref gave nothing. Three yellows then followed, for CJ and Graham for the Youths and Lanigan for Athlone. Right on the blow, Athlone had a header at the far post which went wide for a 0-0 score at half-time and Athlone having shaded it with better passing.

[ForzaForth]

Second half started with substitutions by both sides, Savage for CJ for his first start and Sweeney for Lanigan for Athlone. Also, the Youths moved to 4-5-1 with Tom going wide right. On 11 minutes, Wexford gave the ball away in their own half, but Graham pushed the Athlone shot round the post for a corner. On 18 minutes, Athlone had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for offside. With twenty gone, Clarkey came on for Graham and went wide right with Tom moving up front. Two later, Athlone got their first when O'Brien played a one-two and curled a shot into the top right corner for 1-0. Wexford's only decent chance of the match came five later when a good run by Clarkey set up Shane and his shot was deflected around the post for a corner. On the half-hour mark, Athlone made the game safe when a shot hit the inside of one post and ended up in the net at the other post for 2-0. Deano came on for Craig who hobbled off and the match ended with Wexford chasing shadows as Athlone played keep-ball to good effect.

[ForzaForth]

Overall, not the greatest match but Athlone did far more and deserved the win. Best for Youths were probably Gary, Crokey and Shane but Youth's gameplan didn't work as they tried far too often to build from the back and then usually found themselves under pressure and having to clear it hurriedly. Wexford also had little penetration out wide until Clarkey came on with his pace but Clarkey's crosses rarely beat the first man which is something he needs to work on. Personally, would like to see Wexford go much more direct. 2-0 to Athlone at full-time with about 250 at it.