WEXFORD FC 2 ATHLONE TOWN 2
by John Dingle
Athlone Town made it four games unbeaten as a two goal half time deficit was overturned against Wexford FC at Ferrycarrig Park last Friday night. German Rodriguez reduced the deficit early in the second half and a bizarre own goal late on had the sides on level terms. Carl Mujaguzi might even had won it for Athlone in stoppage time but his effort just cleared the bar.
Athlone started brightly and had soon earned three corner kicks. Wexford though settled and Mikie Rowe had a shot pushed away by goalkeeper Enda Minogue. The reprieve was brief though as James Keddy’s men opened the scoring on 20 minutes. Two attempted headed clearances were not successful and Rowe took advantage to fire a low shot to the net. Athlone had a chance to draw level on 24 minutes but Mujaguzi scuffed his close range shot. Thomas Oluwa was then denied a goal against his former club when Minogue blocked his goalbound attempt. Athlone were again undone on 26 minutes. A Rowe corner kick was headed home at the near post by Ethan Boyle. Athlone had a chance to reduce the deficit on the stroke of half time. Brian Torre delivered a cross which was met by Dean Ebbe but his attempt towards goal was touched away by home keeper Owen Mason.
Athlone could easily have been three goals in arrears from the first chance on the resumption of play. Oluwa headed wide and the visitors took heart from the let off. Mujaguzi again passed on a good chance when firing over but a number of corners eventually paid off. The third corner of the half after 7 minutes taken by Dan McKenna saw Rodriguez shoot home in a crowded penalty area. Oluwa had a great chance to restore the two goal home lead on the hour mark but fired over when appearing set to score. It proved to be one of the last chances to fall Wexfords way as Athlone dominated the last half an hours play. Aaron Connolly had come on in midfield and fired over after 75 minutes.
A bizarre incident levelled matters seven minutes later. Another sub Jamar Campion-Hinds launched a long throw in to the six yard box. Cian O’Malley fluffed his clearance to score an own goal instead after Mason had failed to gather. Athlone now went in pursuit of a winner. Jamar Campion-Hinds had a shot blocked by the keeper while the last of a dozen Town corners kept up the pressure. The comeback was almost completed in the second additional minute but Mujaguzis header narrowly failed to enter the net.
TREATY UNITED 0 ATHLONE TOWN 1
Athlone were again on their travels last Monday evening when facing Treaty United at the Markets Field. The only goal came in the first minute of the second half as Ebbe grabbed his seventh score of the season. The home team had a man sent off just after the hour mark but Athlone also ended with 10 men when Connolly saw red in stoppage time.
