Athlone

[ForzaForth]

Half-time here in Athlone and Wexford are battling well. However, lack of a direct scoring threat suggests that they might find it difficult to reduce the 1-0 deficit in the second half. Youths started 4-5-1 with Graham, Jonathan, Gary, Donal, Robert, Crokey, Brian, Joey, Rocks, Danny and with Daragh up front. First half-chance fell to Daragh after five from a free-kick but, when stretching, seemed to do an ankle. After 15 minutes, Gary went off after an aerial clash and was replaced in the back four by Patsy. First real chance was created by Athlone after 25 minutes and it led to a goal when a quality cross into the box found Philly Gorman in the clear and he headed home for 1-0 to Athlone. Athlone then had a good spell but first effort went straight to Graham and then a ball over the op was volleyed over the bar by Curran. Just after the half-hour, Clarkey came on for Daragh with Rocks going up front. With ten to go Crokey got a yellow for a tackle and then O’Brien got a yellow for a tackle on Danny, who looks our most threatening attacker. With two to go in the half, Clarkey had our only real chance when he latched onto a through ball but kept his shot low which allowed Sexton in the Athlone goal to push it away. 1-0 to Athlone at half-time.

[ForzaForth]

At the start of the second half, Daryl came on for Joey and Youths created two half-chances but missed them both. On eight, Rocks set up Daryl when he won a ball in the air but Daryl’s effort went wide. On ten, Gorman swivelled and shot in the box but Graham saved with his legs. On fifteen, Brian went over on his ankle and hobbled off five minutes later to leave Wexford with ten as all three subs had been used. In addition, Danny was essentially a passenger after falling awkwardly to leave Youths really with only nine and a walker. Athlone then came forward in waves for the rest of the match but poor execution meant that they found it difficult to work Graham in the Youth’s goal.However, midway through the half, Coughlan was put through centrally but Graham managed to save the shot with his legs. Wexford never really threatened in the final quarter to leave the final score at 1-0 for the home side.

[ForzaForth]

Huge effort from the away side especially after going down to ten men. Thought Jonathan and Robert looked very sound at full-back while Donal was excellent in the back four. Patsy made a difference also when he came on. Wexford played very directly throughout but Rocks had more success than Daragh playing as the target-man. Unfortunate also that Danny picked up his injury as his quick feet made some inroads into a solid looking Athlone defence during the first half. 1-0 to the home side at full-time.