Athlone Town -v- Wexford Youths

ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone were the beneficiaries of a dubious last minute penalty against Mervue United last weekend but the point gained will be no less valuable come the end of the season and it has helped them to fifth place in the division, with a ten point total that is just three points behind second placed Mervue United.

Friday night’s visitors, Wexford Youths, also have ten points and the teams are separated only by a goal difference that favours Athlone by seven.

Athlone were unbeaten in the opening four games of their league campaign, but away defeats to Waterford United and Longford Town followed, punctuated by an impressive 1-0 win over fancied Finn harps at Lisseywoolen.

Last weekend’s draw was their fourth in eight games but Roddy Collins’ side remain unbeaten at home, recording three draws along with that win over Harps on home turf. 

Manager Collins is likely to be without striker Noel McGee again with fitness issues restricting him to just one substitute appearance in the league so far this year. Mark Hughes, ever-present in 2013, will have to sit out the game due to suspension. The Athlone boss will have defender Conor mcMahon available after he too part in the club’s Leinster Senior Cup defeat to Shelbourne in midweek.

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Wexford Youths can’t seem to make up their minds whether they are having a good season or not.

A disastrous start included a 5-0 defeat at Cobh Ramblers and a 2-0 home reverse against Friday’s opponents Athlone. Matters soon improved with consecutive wins over Salthill Devon and Waterford United. A scoreless draw after the long journey to Finn Harps was not to be sniffed at but another two losses disrupted that positive sequence.

Most recently a 3-0 win at home to Cobh Ramblers suggested that Shane Keegan’s team had left their early season disappointments behind them but they remain difficult to read and another positive result on Friday would go some way to establishing a consistent line of form.

With just one away win so far in 2013, and that against basement side Salthill Devon, Wexford need to start taking more points from the road if they are to make progress up the table.

Referee: Simon Rogers.

MATCH STATS

Athlone secured their only away win of the season at Ferrycarrig Park back in March when two goals from Ryan Coombes secured the points.

Wexford have kept two clean sheets in their eight league games to date, but they have drawn four blanks in front of goal themselves.

Wexford won three of the four meetings between these teams last season, including both the games played at Lisseywoolen.

BETTING

Athlone 8/11; Draw 23/10; Wexford 7/2.

PREDICTION

A draw, 1-1.

Athlone Town

Injured: None.
Doubtful: Noel McGee.
Suspended: Mark Hughes.

Wexford Youths

Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.