Game dominated by the dreadful conditions with continuous sheets of rain and a gale, but Wexford created more clear-cut chances in a close game and deserved to secure the three points. Wexford made two changes from the team which started against UCD with Gavin and Robbie coming in and went with Paul, Max, Evan, Adam, Robbie, Mikie, Zayd, Jamie, Gavin, Dylan and Jake. Wexford played with the aid of the strong wind in the first half but it didn’t prove easy to keep the ball under control and chances were scarce. Early efforts on goal were forced by Athlone with a free on four minutes which was pushed away by Paul Martin in the Wexford goal and then, on 21 minutes, Athlone’s Kehir had a powerful effort a yard or two wide. Wexford then looked the more likely to score as Gavin Hodgins had a one-on-one with Trainor in the Athlone goal but the latter saved with his legs. Following that chance, Mikie Rowe had a free along the ground which Trainor collected cleanly, and then Jamie Wynne also had a one-on-one which was blocked by Trainor and Mikie Rowe’s effort from the rebound was cleared off the Athlone goal-line. It suggested that these one-on-ones need to be got off the ground when shooting as goalkeepers are now so adept at spreading themselves even when the attacker is in a central position. 0-0 at halftime.
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Second half saw two subs by Athlone and the half began with Athlone’s best chance as Athlone sub, Adewale, had a sighter from an angle and, as it went along the ground, Paul Martin was able to save with his legs. Otherwise, it was Wexford who looked the more dangerous as Verdon forced Trainor to make a good block when having a chance close in. After Liam Shuntaro Doyle had been introduced by Wexford, Wexford got the breakthrough with a stunning free-kick by Adam Verdon which sailed into the top corner with a fantastic arc perhaps helped by being struck against the wind. Wexford went close to adding a second through efforts by the immense Jake Doyle, which went a yard wide and then Adam Verdon went close but the wrong side of the other Athlone post. Later Wexford sub was Jack Larkin and, although Athlone applied some pressure right at the end, the conditions were such that it was not easy to create viable chances. So, 1-0 to Wexford at the end with 474 hardy souls getting themselves soaked for the 90 minutes. In addition to Jake Doyle, I liked the efforts of Max Murphy, Dylan Hand, Gavin Hodgins and especially Adam Verdon with that free-kick.
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