Athlone Town 0 - 1 Wexford Youths

A 73rd minute volley from Conor Sinnott condemned Athlone Town to their second home defeat in a row following a tightly contested affair at Lissywollen on Saturday evening. In what was very much a stop-start first half, both teams were reduced to a number of half chances with Sinnott's second half strike proving decisive.

Following last week’s 2-1 defeat to Waterford United, Athlone were looking to get back to getting points on the board and it was Brendan Place’s men that started the brightest. Emeke Onwubiko and Kevin Williamson looked sharp for the home team while Conor Sinnott was at the heart of everything good for Mick Wallace’s charges.

Athlone’s Damien Rushe had the first half chance of the game when he got a sight at goal following Kevin Williamson’s corner but his effort went just wide of Packie Holden’s goal.

Richie Fitzgerald then saw a looping effort crash off the ‘Town bar in the 39th minute of a poor first half. Athlone’s striker Stephen Place then cut in off the left flank after good work from Williamson but his driven effort drifted into the side netting.

The best chance of the opening period then came with just a minute to go when Dave Breen nodded wide from eight yards after Sinnott’s in-swinging free-kick.

The teams remained unchanged as they came out for the second half and it was Athlone that had the first chance. Onwubiko stretched his legs with a good run but his effort in the 53rd minute was always rising over the Youth's crossbar.

Fitzgerald then stung the hands of John McGuinness in the home goal who clutched the ball to his chest at the second attempt. Sinnott then also went close for the visitors with a 25 yard free as the away side’s chance tally mounted.

Then in the 73rd minute Wexford made their chances pay when they took the lead with a very avoidable goal from an Athlone point of view. A misplaced goal kick from McGuinness fell to Gavin Doyle on the left flank and his cross found Sinnott who fired home under the ‘keeper to open the scoring.

Anthony Hayes then tried to get his side back on level terms with just ten minutes left on the clock but his volley flashed wide after Williamson had picked him out. Onwubiko’s tame 88th minute effort was the last effort Athlone had to try and grab a point but it wasn’t to be as Wexford held on to edge out their opponents in a game that really either side could have, and probably feel they should have won.

Athlone Town: John McGuinness; Robbie Hamm, Des Hope, Tom McGauley, Brian Cleary; Emeka Onwubiko, Damien Rushe, Anthony Hayes, Kevin Williamson; Kieran O’Reilly (Robbie Benson 70), Stephen Place (Robbie Egan 85).
Subs not used: Aaron Shanahan (gk), Kevin Dunne, Cathal Joyce.

Booked: Onwubiko (21), Place (49), Reilly (57); McGauley (76).

Wexford Youths: Packie Holden, Anto Russell, Keith Kearney, David Breen, Peter White; David Miller, Patsy Malone, Conor Sinnott, Richie Fitzgerald (Liam O’Loughlin 72); Gavin Doyle, Marty Kelly (Shane Dempsey 89).
Subs not used: Garrett McCurtin, Paul Rossiter, Kyle Dempsey.

Booked: Malone (83).

Referee: Phil Caschera

Attendance: 622

Extra Time.ie man of the match: Conor Sinnott (Wexford Youths) - The Wexford captain was at the heart of everything good that Wexford did. A constant threat from set-pieces.