Athlone

**ForzaForth** · 03/05/2013, 9:02 PM

As the scoreline suggests, Wexford not at the races tonight with a performance eerily similar to that given at Mervue with the away side mostly shapeless. Wexford started 4-1-4-1 with Graham, Craig, Jamie, Gary, Jimmy, with Crokey in front, a midfield of Brian, Eric, Deano and Shane and with Daryl up front. The home side started the brighter and, after five, Grham parried a free-kick and the shot off the rebound was blocked by a good Wexford tackle. After eight, Gary got a yellow for a tackle. On ten, Gorman was through but his chip went over the bar. A minute later, Athlone had the ball in the net but it was ruled out for offside. First effort for Wexford came after fifteen, when Eric had a run and a shot which went a yard wide.

**ForzaForth** · 03/05/2013, 9:08 PM

On nineteen, a cross into the Youth's box was put away by Gorman for 1-0 to the home side. On 25, an Athlone free a long way out flashed just past the post. On the half-hour, Corkey came on for Shane who seemed to do an ankle. Brian then picked up a yellow for a tackle and an Athlone effort from 25 yards out hit the outside of the post and away. Just as it seemed that the Youths might go in only one down, Athlone made the game safe with two late first half goals when a low Athlone cross from the left was stuck home by Sweeney near in for 2-0. Graham then had to push an attempted lob at full-step for a corner and, in injury time, a touch on a through ball but Coughlan in the clear who beat Graham for 3-0 and game over at half-time.

**ForzaForth** · 03/05/2013, 9:13 PM

Second half was, as expected, a dead duck with the match already decided. Wexford tried hard to push forward to attempt to rescue some respectability but with little success. On ten, an Athlone header was knocked straight into the ground and Graham was able to collect. After 12, a Wexford header was put a yard over the bar. On 20, an Athlone cross from the right was deflected to leave Gorman at the far post to head home for 4-0. Glen came on for Daryl midway through the half and Iain Goulding with five to go. Athlone also made their subs and a late yellow card for Athlone ended the game for 4-0 to the home side and as comfortable a win as you'll see.

**ForzaForth** · 03/05/2013, 9:17 PM

Playing a small 16 year old like Daryl up front meant that the Youths had to support him going forward, but that didn't happen for the hour he was on and resulted in virtually nothing being created. Wexford were also hesitant at the back and, the two combined led to the result on the night. Athlone were much more effective, using the ball well, and delivery into the box looked especially good. Thought Rocks was missed particularly for the Youths. 4-0 to Athlone at full time.

**Martinho II** · 04/05/2013, 7:27 PM

We stopped off in Portlaoise in supermacs on the way home from waterford and bumped into two of yer female fans comin back from athlone. theres a very good photo of me and one of them on our own website..!! www.ltfc.ie

have youths a facebook account at all? I am just thinkin just in case if ye wanted to post that photo to your FB a/c??