WEXFORD FC 3
ATHLONE TOWN 0
Table toppers Athlone Town’s perfect start to the League of Ireland season ended in disappointing fashion as Wexford FC inflicted a first defeat on the visitors in the 2023 campaign.
Wexford made the most of the chances presented to them as they collected their opening win following two defeats. An early goal settled the home team with Athlone staring at defeat with half an hour still left to play.
The game had an early twist to proceedings as Athlone were denied by the woodwork and Wexford then struck for the opening score. Jamar Campion-Hinds was unlucky to see his shot from long range come back off the post after six minutes and Wexford took advantage to take the lead five minutes later when a cross from the left was met by Aaron Dobbs who headed home from close range.
The rest of the half was forgettable fare in what was generally a poor game throughout. Athlone earned the first corner kick just after the quarter hour mark. A further corner followed for Athlone as surprisingly Wexford failed to create any more chances in the half after taking the lead. The final first half attempts at grabbing an equaliser fell to Jack Kavanagh whose shot was saved and Patrick Hickey who headed over.
Athlone were still in contention when the second half got underway but an early doubling of the lead made it more difficult. A third goal on the hour mark then sealed the home victory. The first action of the second half saw the home team double their lead with just five minutes played. A free kick from the left was punched clear by Enda Minogue. The ball fell to Aaron Robinson who quickly returned the ball back to the roof of the net with the Town keeper stranded on the edge of the penalty area.
Athlone did have a chance to draw level after 58 minutes but home keeper Charlie Heffernan got down well to push behind a shot from Isaie Louis. James Keddy’s men took advantage of poor defending to make it three nil on the hour mark. Athlone failed to clear and the loose ball fell to Robinson who fired first-time into the net, all but ending the game as a contest.
Brandon McCann of Wexford had a shot saved with Heffernan also denying Athlone when gathering a Louis shot at the second attempt. The Town striker was again out of luck on 71 minutes when his low shot drifted just wide of the post as the keeper advanced. Heffernan was the busier stopper as the half progressed and again did well to gather the ball following a scramble in the box. Robinson had the last home chance when heading over in the penultimate minute, passing upon the chance to grab his hat trick. Athlone had a final opportunity to grab a consolation goal as the game heading into a fifth minute of added time. Substitute Oisin Duffy sent in a right wing cross but Hickey could only head the ball downwards and wide.
