WNL Preview: Athlone Town -v- Wexford Youths

• Paul Corcoran
• Fri, Aug 14 2020




Athlone Town

It’s an important weekend for Athlone Town as they take to the field for the first time at senior level in the Women’s National League on Saturday (kick-off 7pm).

The Town have been given a tough task for their opening fixture with WFAI Cup Champions Wexford Youths travelling to Lissywoolen this weekend.

Manager Tommy Hewitt is calling on his players to focus on their performance against the four time WNL champions.

"All of the preparation is done now so everyone is excited to get started and see the level that we need to get to,” he said, speaking to the Women’s National League website.

“Obviously Wexford will be a tough first challenge but we expect every game to be tough.

"I'll be asking the players to focus on putting on a good performance and keep working hard no matter how the game is going.

“It might be a cliché but it's important that they enjoy themselves because this type of experience doesn't come around too often.

"It's been eight months since we first got together, albeit with a big break in the middle, but we are excited to get going now. We know that Wexford will be a really good team but we just have to focus on our own performance."

Athlone have a number of absentees for their first game with Emma Donohoe, Jessica Hennessy, Ciara McManus and Chloe McNamee all out for the visit of Wexford.

Wexford Youths

Youths face their second newcomers in a row after defeating Bohemians 4-1 in Ferrycarraig Park last weekend.

A brace from Ellen Molloy and goals from Lauren Kelly and Vanessa Ogbonna helped the side capture their first three points of the season as they began life without Republic of Ireland international Rianna Jarrett.

The goals will have provided a boost for manager Tom Elmes as Youths begin their search for a fifth WNL title.

"Athlone have nothing to lose. I'm sure they are going to be well-organised, they are going to be hungry, and they are going to want to go out and do something in their first game. So we have to be ready for that,” Elmes told the Women’s National League website.

"We've always been a team that was tough to beat, tough to break down, and we maybe snatched a goal or two - usually through Rianna Jarrett.

“So a big focus for us this season is that we have to be more productive on the ball, have more players showing up in creating & scoring goals, and matching that tough to break down spirit with being better in front of goal.

"We got off to a great start and it's a credit to the players for that. Now we have to maintain that balance of keeping our identity but bringing more goals to our game.

“We will have to work hard in each game to achieve that."

Referee: John McLoughlin

MATCH STATS

This is Athlone Town’s first ever game at senior level in the Women’s National League.

Youths scored four times as they ran out 4-1 winners over Bohemians last weekend. Lauren Kelly and Vanessa Ogbonna were on the scoresheet while Ellen Molloy netted a brace.

Wexford have seven wins from their last eight games in all competitions.

PREDICTION

Athlone Town 0-5 Wexford Youths

Athlone Town

Injured: Emma Donohoe, Jessica Hennessy, Ciara McManus and Chloe McNamee.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Wexford Youths

Injured: Trina Duggan and Aoife Slattery.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.