ATHLONE TOWN 3
WEXFORD FC 0
A hat trick of goals from the in form Frantz Pierrot helped Athlone Town comprehensively defeat Wexford FC in Lissywollen on Friday night.
Athlone overcame some early pressure to head off with a two goal lead at the break. Pierrot completed his hat trick late in the second half to lift Athlone into third place on the league table.
Pierrot had an early chance but saw his shot blocked by Noel Heffernan who then gathered the loose ball. Valerii Dolia fired off target from long range with Adam Lennon sending a cross from the right wide. Wexford’s first chance on 18 minutes could easily have seen the deadlock broken but Mark Hanratty’s shot from the left edge of the six yard box was pushed over by Enda Minogue.
Athlone then took the lead after 25 minutes play. The ball was sent in from the left to Pierrot. The Town number nine made space and shot to the roof of the net from just inside the penalty area. Dolia was then wide as Athlone looked to build on their lead while Reece Webb blasted over for Wexford following a left wing cross.
The lead was doubled on 39 minutes. A free kick from Jack Kavanagh on the left picked out Patrick Hickey who headed back into the danger zone. Wexford cleared but only as far as Hickey who again returned the ball where Pierrot was on hand to find the net from close range. It could easily have become three nil a minute later as Pierrot set up Dolia but his shot was blocked by the keeper on the edge of the penalty box.
Wexford had a couple of early chances to reduce the deficit, but both attempts from Aaron Dobbs and Benjamin Lynch were off target. Athlone responded and could easily have added to their goal tally in play up to the hour mark. Pierrot was in pursuit of his hat trick and came close when his shot drifted narrowly wide. Heffernan kept Wexford in contention when he blocked Dolias shot from the left.
Wexford’s only threat came from corners but Athlone looked the more likely to score next. Oisin Duffy shot wide and then Hickey played the ball into Pierrot but Heffernan was out to clear the danger. The Town striker completed his hat trick with 13 minutes remaining. A cross from the left by Aaron Connolly picked out sub Jamar Campion-Hinds at the far post. The ball into the danger zone picked out Pierrot who duly fired home via the post from close range.
Pierrot on the Double
Pierrot was once again on target on Monday night when Athlone collected another three points against Finn Harps in Ballybofey following a four one win. The Town top scorer opened the floodgates after 13 minutes and doubled the lead before the break from the penalty spot after Harps were penalised for handball. Haji Abdikadir made it three midway through the second half following a corner kick. Dolia then scored the goal of the game to seal victory before the home team grabbed a late consolation goal.
This victory cements Athlone’s position in the First Division play-off berths, Town seeking to maintain momentum when they travel to play Treaty United on FRiday night.
