Wexford had more of the game in this scoreless contest in Ferrycarrig this evening, but probably didn’t create enough in the final third and ultimately had to be content with a share of the points. On a brighter note, all the new signings on show had a positive impact and the squad looked that bit stronger as a result. Wexford began with Paul, James, Robbie, Dean, Mikie, Darragh, Dobbsy, Kaylem, Michael, Ajibola and Matthew. It was a quiet enough start to the game with Wexford looking the more threatening but without troubling Matt Connor in the Athlone goal. On 16 minutes, however, Ajibola Oluwabiyi, who has electric pace, produced a fantastic run down Wexford’s left and won himself a free. Mikie Rowe kept the free-kick on target but Connor managed to push the ball over his own crossbar at the expense of a corner. Just before the water-break, Athlone fashioned a good chance but the shot was poor and Paul Martin was left with an easy save to make. Wexford then created a further chance on 32 minutes when a deflected shot by Mikie Rowe fell into the path of Oluwabiyi, but his first-time effort with his left went just the wrong side of the Athlone post. Ben Feeney for Athlone, who put in a massive shift up front, was left quite isolated for much of the game and had to contend with both Dean Larkin and Robbie McCourt for his troubles. Towards the end of the half, Athlone did win four corners in a row as Wexford defenders could only clear by conceding a further corner but Paul Martin’s goal remained untroubled. An Oluwabiyi effort on goal which was again pushed away by Connor for a Wexford corner ended the first half with Wexford having shaded it but being unable to get the scoreboard moving. 0-0 at halftime.
Heard after the game that Athlone manager, Ian Ryan, changed his keeper at halftime but it wasn’t announced as a change by the fourth official. The second half saw Calum Flynn being introduced by Wexford manager, Stephen Elliott, and with Wexford again dominating the game but not really threatening the Athlone goal. After 13 minutes, Wexford’s Paul Martin made a good save at close range from an Athlone forward who looked offside. Athlone’s Oyenuga then had a chance with a tough volley but couldn’t keep it on target. Subsequent subs for Wexford were Zayd Abada, Mohamed Haris and Filip Wasilewski. Best chance of the night came for Wexford late on when Calum Flynn had a shooting chance in a good position, but couldn’t keep his effort on target. So, 0-0 at fulltime with all the new signings – O’Brien, McCarthy, Haris and Oluwabiyi – all showing promise. In addition to Feeney, Oisin Hand had a cracking game for Athlone at left-full. Crowd was believed to be 689.
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