Wexford started well but ultimately their performance went downwards as the match progressed as the home side were undone by a classy goal from Gideon Tetteh in Ferrycarrig tonight. With Aaron Dobbs and Dean Larkin unavailable, Wexford started with Paul, Darragh, James, Josh, Robbie, Mikie, Luke, Kaylem, Zayd, Jack and Ryan. Wexford created the better chances from the start and Ryan Kelly could have scored on two minutes when he latched onto a long ball, but was denied in his one-on-one by Matt Connor in the Athlone goal. Wexford then forced a couple of corners but Athlone showed they could create as well with a flicked effort which just went past Paul Martin’s post. On 13 minutes, Luke Kehir had an effort on target which was saved by Connor at the expense of a corner. Wexford looking the better at this stage but with Athlone’s Feeney tending to dominate in the air against the Wexford defence. As the half progressed, Ryan Kelly had an effort from Wexford’s left which flashed wide of the Athlone goal and then Ben Feeney smacked a low shot which Paul Martin did well to clear with his legs. On 35 minutes, Wexford’s Luke Kehir scooped the ball over the Athlone bar from close in when stretching to meet a cross by Mikie Rowe. On 40 minutes, Athlone’s Gideon Tetteh, who had been having a good battle with Wexford’s Darragh Dunne down Athlone’s left, was able to cut inside from that wing past two Wexford defenders, and his curling effort gave Paul Martin no chance to put the away side a goal to the good. 1-0 to Athlone at halftime.
Wexford seemed to get a bit stretched as the second half went on as they began to go long but were generally unable to upset a dominant Athlone defence. Injuries also played their part for Wexford as Luke Kehir went off after seeming to do his shoulder and was replaced by Filip Wasilewski and later Jack Larkin would also hobble off. Further substitutes for Wexford were Darragh Levingston and Henry Cromack. Other than a Mikie Rowe free which went a yard wide and a speculative James Crawford volley which was close, Wexford generally seemed unable to threaten the Athlone goal. In contrast, Paul Martin had to produce a really good diving save to keep out an Athlone header which bounced just in front of his outstretched hand. Wexford won a couple of corners at the end but Matt Connor had only a few routine catches to make. So, 1-0 to Athlone at fulltime with Wexford hoping that their growing injury list shortens as quickly as possible. Crowd was reported to be 574.
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