Wexford FC v Athlone

[ForzaForth]

Reasonably comfortable win for Wexford in Ferrycarrig tonight although a late Glen McAuley goal for Athlone did get pulses racing on the part of the home fans for the last few minutes. Wexford started with Paul H, Paul C, Lorcan, Adam, Thomas, Conor C, Conor B, Harry, Len and with Aaron and Dinny up front. Athlone started the brighter and had a shot just over the Wexford crossbar on six minutes and followed that with a shot which squirted wide of the Wexford left-hand post. From about twenty minutes, however, Wexford started to dominate and Dinny Corcoran had a decent chance to get his hundredth goal but the excellent Schlingermann in the Athlone goal managed to parry the effort. On 35 minutes, the goal which Wexford deserved eventually arrived when Dobbs was put through and the rebound from Schlingermann fell to Harry Groome who put it away. 1-0 to Wexford. Athlone’s prospects in the game were even further diminished when former Wexford player, Cian Kelly, got what looked like a straight red following a yellow with various theories circulating afterwards as to the reason for it just before the blow. 1-0 to Wexford and Athlone down to ten players at half-time.

[ForzaForth]

Wexford had long spells of dominance in the second half and created various chances but Schlingermann in the Atlone goal kept the visitors in the game until Aaron Dobbs converted a low cross from the right to make it 2-0 to Wexford. Subs during this period for Wexford included Conor Davis, Evan Farrell and Luke Scanlon. As the game entered its final minutes, Wexford appeared to get a bit casual and conceded a goal right on the 90 minutes when Athlone’s Glen McAuley beat Paul Hunt from close in to make it 2-1 to Wexford. Hunt then had to push a deflected Athlone free over his own cross-bar for a corner but the resulting Athlone corner didn’t get past the near post and Wexford were home and dry by two goals to one. Best for Wexford were Thomas Considine and Len O’Sullivan on the wings with Harry Groome and Aaron Dobbs also impressing. Athlone just gave the impression of not yet being at full pitch perhaps due to the lateness of the squad being put together. About 330 at the match.