Wexford Youths 3 - 3 Athlone Town
Credit:
To hail signs of revival at this stage of the season might sound like grasping at straws but in truth Wexford Youths were well worth a point at Ferrycarrig even though they took till the final kick of the game to secure it. Athlone, who had won with comparative ease when they visited Wexford earlier in the programme, were made to sweat in a match that swung first one way then the other, and provided the locals with heart warming entertainment on a rain soaked evening.
Noel O’Connor rang the changes in defence with Eoin Kinsella starting on the right and James Darmody on the left. Both looked sharp going forward and Dean Broaders, released to patrol the left wing, looked as though he might prove to be the key man as the home side started on the offensive. But Wexford looked as porous as ever at the back and Athlone manager Mike Kerley was looking for sanction when Packie Holden, racing out of his area to avert danger, appeared to handle.
Town went ahead five minutes later when Davy Ryan, a constant threat on the left, got clear and stroked the ball low past Holden. Going behind early in a match is a familiar scenario for Youths but on this occasion they re-applied themselves with renewed vigour. Schlingermann had to save twice with his feet to preserve the visitors’ lead and did even better when Grincell stole the ball from Carr just inside the Athlone half and shrugged off several tackles only for the keeper to get some part of his anatomy to his eventual shot and deflect it for a corner.
But Youths did get an equaliser when Darragh Walshe, in space on the edge of the area, slid the ball past Schlingermann with six minutes of the first half remaining. It was fitting that Walshe should send the game in at half time equally balanced for he had shown resilience in the difficult role of lone striker.
On the restart Youths took the game by the scruff of the neck and the home supporters responded enthusiastically. But the Wexford flanks were vulnerable and Davy Ryan cut in from the left and drew Holden before slipping the ball across for Noel Magee to convert with ease in the 64th minute. It took a gaffe from keeper Schlingermann to keep Wexford in the game. Broaders, who had faded after a bright start, trundled in a cross from the left and the keeper, yet to make a save with his hands, mishandled the ball for the lurking Danny Furlong to poke the split-second opportunity into the net.
Now Athlone regained superiority again looking for a winner and appeared to have secured the points when a quickly taken free kick released substitute Mark Sherlock to score with Holden helpless and just seven of the ninety minutes left. It seemed like yet another hard luck story for Mick Wallace but in the final seconds of three minutes added time Athlone left back Jamie Carr conceded a free kick on the Wexford right. Shane Dempsey, a fine striker of the dead ball, had enjoyed a frustrating evening in this department but his final effort was well judged and Dean Broaders was on hand in a packed goalmouth to nudge it past Schlingermann. As the season proceeds rapidly towards its climax that last gasp first point at home may prove vital for Youths.
Wexford Youths: Packie Holden; Eoin Kinsella (Shane Nolan 58), Martin Kehoe (Tom Elmes 88), Karl Keogh, James Darmody; Shane Dempsey, Danny Furlong, Shane Dempsey, Ben Ryan (Patsy Malone 80), Dean Broaders; Darragh Walshe.
Subs not used: Mark Phelan, Tom Elmes, Sean Allen (GK)
Athlone Town: Michael Schlingermann; Declan Fallon, Mark Walshe, Joe Woods, Jamie Carr;
Jason Hughes, Stephen Relinan, Damien Rushe (Mark Sherlock 70), Davy Ryan; Noel Magee, garry Higgins (Tommy Barrett 56).
Subs not used: Roy King, Kevin Dunne, Scott Gaynor (GK).
Referee: Kevin O’Regan
Attendance (Est): 150
