- Aisling Hannon
- Fri, Jul 07 2023
Athlone returned to winning form and edged closer to securing a play-off spot after a decisive 4-1 victory over Wexford at Ferrycarrig Park on Friday night.
First-half goals from Jamar Campion-Hinds, Frantz Pierrot, Valerij Dolia, and Matthew Leal secured the three points and kept the Westmeath side fourth in the table.
Aaron Dobbs managed to score for the home side in the first half, equalizing at 1-1, but his effort wasn't enough to prevent Athlone from dominating the game.
The visitors had an unfortunate start when key defender German Fuentes-Rodriguez was forced off due to an ankle injury. However, the game became more comfortable after just 20 minutes when Campion-Hinds found the net.
The midfielder's goal is a contender for the goal of the month; he took the ball forward along the wing before launching a long-range shot that gave goalkeeper Charlie Heffernan no chance to save.
Just five minutes later, Wexford equalized. Captain Ethan Boyle headed the ball up the pitch to meet Danny Furlong, who then directed a header to Dobbs. The forward confidently took control and slotted the ball with ease into the bottom left corner, past Enda Minogue.
Athlone demonstrated their determination to regain control, and Pierrot netted their second goal at the half-hour mark. New signing Dan McKenna, who had come on to replace Fuentes-Rodriguez earlier in the half, played a key role.
The defender, who previously played with the club in 2021, sent the ball from near the back line to an alert Pierrot, who slipped it past Heffernan from a tight angle to double the lead.
The game settled for the next 15 minutes as Wexford tried to regroup, with Athlone appearing dangerous in possession.
With five minutes remaining in the half, Dolia increased the lead for the visitors to three after the Wexford defence left him unmarked in the box.
After Wexford conceded possession, Campion-Hinds made a superb run down the wing and passed the ball to Dolia, who was waiting alone in front of the goal.
He nudged it past Heffernan, who was unable to make the save. More errors from Wexford resulted in a fourth goal with one minute remaining in the half, as Leal capitalized on a Campion-Hinds cross from close range.
Despite several substitutions, including debuts for Eoin Kenny, son of Republic of Ireland manager Stephen, and former Shelbourne academy player Max Kelly, Wexford struggled with their approach.
Athlone were content to sit back for the duration of the second half, allowing Wexford to dominate possession but intercepting when the home side threatened to score.
Wexford, missing key midfielder Brandon McCann due to a late red card in Bishopsgate last weekend and Danny Furlong to a first-half groin injury, were unable to unsettle Athlone.
Substitute Sean Fitzpatrick hit the side-netting late on, and James Crawford just missed with a free kick, but it was not enough to worry the visiting side.
James Keddy's men slipped down to seventh in the table after Treaty United moved ahead following their 3-1 victory over Kerry.
Wexford will face former manager Ian Ryan next weekend as they take on Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds, while Athlone will host table-toppers Galway United.
Wexford: Noel Heffernan; Ethan Boyle, Luke Browne, Hugh Douglas (Reece Webb 46), Darragh Levingston, Ben Lynch; Kian Corbally, Corban Piper (Max Kelly 68); Aaron Dobbs, Danny Furlong (Eoin Kenny 46), Mark Hanratty (Sean Fitzpatrick 53).
Subs not used: Colm Cox, Cian O'Malley, James Crawford, Aaron Doran, Karl Chambers.
Booked: Ethan Boyle (16), Reece Webb (56), Eoin Kenny (69), James Crawford (71).
Sent off: None.
Athlone Town: Enda Minogue; Patrick Hickey, Jack Kavanagh, Matthew Leal (Nehemie Lamtoukou 89), German Rodriguez (Daniel McKenna 12), Noah van Geenan (Donal Curtin 89); Haji Abdikadir (Oisin Duffy 89), Jamar Campion-Hinds, Aaron Connolly, Valerij Dolia (Michael Peprah 61); Frantz Pierrot.
Subs not used: Vladislav Velikin, Matthew McCarrick, Josh McGlone, Adam Lennon.
Booked: Noah van Geenan (41), Matthew Leal (61), Daniel McKenna (79).
Sent off: None.
Referee: David Connolly
Attendance: 578
extratime.com Player of the Match: Jamar Campion-Hinds (Athlone Town)
