Athlone Town -v- Wexford Youths

• Simon O'Gorman
• Thu, Aug 29 2013




ATHLONE TOWN

With a five point lead and just six games to play, Athlone Town are in fine form and seem to be freewheeling downhill to the First Division title, although there is time yet for a twist or two of fate. 

 

Wexford Youths arrive at Lisseywoolen on Friday night aiming to end the home side’s run of eight wins and two draws from their last ten league outings. The sides have met three times already this year and Roddy Collins’ men are emphatically ahead having won 2-0 (twice) at Ferrycarrig Park and 4-0 at home. So, 8-0 then to the Midlanders with this final leg to play.

 

Athlone have kept seven clean sheets in their last ten league games, a statistic that implies a steely resolve along the back line while Philip Gorman’s 14 goal haul (so far) underpins an ability to hit the net with effective regularity.

 

Collins has no injuries to concern him as he prepares his squad for this game but he will be missing three regulars due to suspension. Roddy Junior, Aidan Collins and goalkeeper Paul Skinner are all suspended for the game which kicks off in Athlone at 7.45 pm.

 

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Having put in an inconsistent year, Wexford enter the final run of league games knowing they are likely to finish between 4th and 6th, the narrow territory that passes for ‘mid-table’ in an eight team league.

 

Five points ahead of Cobh Ramblers and 11 shy of third placed Waterford United, the ignominy of the basement and the theatre of the play-offs are both beyond them. Finding some motivation, then, will be key for Shane Keegan’s men as they face up to an Athlone Town side that have already beaten them three times this year.

 

In fact, in those three encounters Wexford have so far failed to find the back of the net, something they have only done in two in their last eight league games. These are not the kind of statistics to encourage optimism but at least the 3-1 win over Cobh in their last league outing might suggest some improvement is at work.

 

Newcomer to the first team, Danny Fitzpatrick, scored twice against Cobh and striker Graham Delaney finally notched his first goal of the campaign but Wexford will need to be at their very best if they are to overturn Athlone’s promotion charge.

 

Shane Keegan will be without Graham Delaney and Shane Nolan who are both suspended. 

 

Referee: Conor Fitzgerald.

 

 

MATCH STATS

Wexford and Finn Harps are the two teams that Athlone have beaten in all their 2013 league games so far.

 

Philip Gorman is Athlone’s leading scorer with 14, while Eric Molloy and Aidan Keenan top the charts at Wexford with 4 apiece.

 

Wexford’s defeat of Cobh Ramblers two weeks ago ended a run of seven games without a win and they are now three games unbeaten.

 

BETTING

Athlone 2/5, Draw 3/1, Wexford 6/1.

 

PREDICTION

Athlone to win 1-0.

 

Athlone Town

Injuries: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Roddy Collins Jr, Aidan Collins, Paul Skinner.

 

Wexford Youths

Injuries: Unavailable.
Doubtful: Unavailable.
Suspended: Graham Delaney, Shane Nolan.