Wexford Youths -v- Athlone Town

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Wexford Youths made hard work of getting past Munster Senior League side Douglas Hall in last week’s FAI Cup second round. The Cork side drew 1-1 with Shane Keegan’s men on Sunday, and made a real go of the replay at Ferrycarrig Park on Tuesday night. Wexford eventually won through 3-2 having been behind twice during the course of the game.

Such exertion is hardly the perfect preparation for a six-pointer league encounter with Athlone Town who trail Wexford in the league table only on account of goal difference.

“There’s nothing between us and them in the table”, said Keegan in the build up to the game. “There’s nothing between the two sides with regards to the teams we put out on the pitch so it will be a very very close affair tomorrow night, hopefully one we can edge”.

Keegan will be without any suspensions and apart from some minor concerns he should also have an injury free squad to select from.

“There’s great strength and depth to the squad”, said keegan. “Some people were thinking we took chances with the teams we put out during the week, I don’t think we did, I think that there is very little difference between the sides we put out in the two cup games in comparison to who may be appearing a bit more regularly in the league, there’s very little difference in the standard of players. We have chopped and changed already and we will continue to do that for tomorrow night.”

Wexford have won two and lost two of their last four league games but their fans will be aware that their home form is genuinely impressive. The Youths have won four of their six home league games, scoring thirteen without reply against Waterford, Mervue, SD Galway and Finn Harps. Only the Division’s top two, Longford and Limerick, have won at Ferrycarrig this year.

ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone Town will welcome the arrival of the mid-season break like no other team in the league. Mike Kerley’s men have performed above expectations so far, collecting 19 league points and settled in a comfortable mid table position.

But Kerley is battling to maintain the club’s decent form in the face of a truly intimidating list of absentees. Defenders Paul Danaher and Ross Kenny, along with midfielder Mark Walsh, are ruled out through injury, while striker Noel McGee and centre back Brian McCarthy are both extremely doubtful.

Kerley must also operate without three players who are working for the summer in the USA. Stephen Relihan, Garvan Broughall and Scott Gaynor will all be abroad until August. On top of this, Athlone’s young side will be impacted by the start of the Leaving Certificate with several of their younger stars out of action until their exams are complete.

Athlone were beaten 2-1 away to Limerick FC in their latest league outing, but Kerley’s men have won three of their last five league games and have lost only two of their six away games this season.

A 6-1 defeat to Cork City in last weekend’s FAI Cup game at Turner’s Cross will hardly have helped morale at Lisseywoollen but Athlone have proving themselves to be a resolute side this year, a quality that will be much needed over the coming few months.

Referee: Kevin O’Regan.

MATCH STATS

Wexford Youths won the previous league meeting between these two sides, a Danny Furlong goal earning them the points at Lisseywoollen in early April.

Wexford have scored in only two of their last six league games, having netted in all six of their opening league fixtures. 

Athlone Town have kept just three clean sheets in their twelve league games so far. On the up side, they have failed to score on just two occasions, one of which was at home to Wexford earlier in the season.

BETTING

Wexford Evens; Draw 11/5; Athlone 5/2.

PREDICTION

Wexford to take advantage of Athlone’s personnel shortages. Home win 2-0.

Wexford Injury News: None.

Wexford Suspension News: None.

Athlone Injury News: Paul Danaher, Mark Walsh, Ross Kenny - Noel McGee, Brian McCarthy (both doubtful).

Athlone Unavailable: Stephen Relihan, Garvan Broughall, Scott Gaynor (all in the USA).

Athlone Suspension News: None.