League Preview: Wexford -v- Athlone Town

WEXFORD

Wexford play host to Athlone at Ferrycarrig Park in their opening home match of the 2017 season (kick-off 8.00 p.m.). Wexford played their two pre-season friendlies along with the Leinster Senior Cup tie loss to Shelbourne, away from home.

The mood around Ferrycarrig Park has been upbeat this week after Wexford’s encouraging league draw against Cobh Ramblers on 25 February. Lee Duffy rescued a point for Wexford in Cobh with a last-minute header.

Manager Damian Locke was delighted with the Ramblers outcome. "Following a positive performance and result in St. Colman’s Park lastweekend, we have been working hard all week in training to hopefully go one step further tonight."

Winger Adam Hanlon, who was unavailable for the Cobh trip due to work, returns. Right back Craig McCabe, another absentee against Ramblers due to a calf injury, is also likely to be available, which would boost Damian Locke’s squad to full strength.

ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone Town’s 2017 season got off to the best possible start with a surprise but merited 1-0 win over title favourites Waterford last weekend. Colm Coss’ low 88^th minute shot on Friday sent the home fans at Lissywollen into raptures.

Floodlight failure held up the Waterford game for over half an hour but that didn’t bother Colin Fortune’s charges. Inspired by the promptings of midfielder Jason Molloy, the midlanders were full value for their victory over their much-vaunted opponents.

French football agent Marc Fourmeaux has joined the Athlone set-up as Director of First Team Operations. Fourmeaux’s appointment continues the international theme at the Athlone Town Stadium. Impressive netminder Igors Labuts is from Latvia. Labuts’ fellow countryman Kirils Grigorovs also featured against Waterford.

Romanian midfielder Dragog Sfrijan played against the Blues as did Portuguese striker Jose Viegas. Fortune, Fourmeaux and their Portuguese coaching trio will be hoping that Athlone Town can maintain the momentum in Wexford in this, their 130^th year of existence.

Referee: Tom Dempsey.

MATCH FACTS

The sides last met just under a year ago, on 7 March 2016. Wexford won a Leinster Senior Cup match 2-1 after extra-time at Lissywollen.

Their last League meeting resulted in 3-0 win for Wexford in the First Division encounter on 25 September 2015 at Ferrycarrig Park. Athlone’s last win over Wexford was a 3-1 home verdict in July 2015.

Wexford: last five league games LLWLD

Athlone: last five league games DLLLW

BETTING

Wexford 4/6; Draw 13/5; Athlone 4/1

PREDICTION

Wexford 2 - 1 Athlone

Wexford

Injured: None

Doubtful: Craig McCabe.

Suspended: None.

Athlone

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: Unknown.