Even though Wexford went two goals ahead, a draw was probably a fair result in Ferrycarrig tonight as Athlone applied a lot of pressure on the Wexford goal in the second half and managed to score two goals themselves to secure a share of the points. Wexford started with Owen, Cian, Ethan, Mikie, Kian, Thomas, Mark, Luka, James, Sean McHale (returning from injury) and Reece. Athlone started the brightest with good pace down either wing and, on 15 minutes, a sliced clearance by a Wexford defender went just the other side of the Wexford post. It was 17 minutes before Wexford had a decent effort on target when Mark Hanratty had a low shot saved by Minogue in the Athlone goal. After Wexford’s Mikie Rowe had a shot half-blocked for a Wexford corner, Rowe was in the right spot when the corner came in as the ball broke to him and his low shot found the corner of the Athlone net. 1-0 to Wexford. After Ebbe of Athlone had a turn and rising shot which went just over the Wexford bar, Thomas Oluwa of Wexford had a great chance but Minogue got down low to save. On 26 minutes, however, Ethan Boyle moved to the near post on a Wexford corner and put a glancing header to the Athlone net for 2-0 to Wexford. Wexford continued their domination until the end of the half as they had a shout for a peno for handball but nothing was given and Thomas Oluwa had a chance with a header but was given offside. 2-0 for Wexford at halftime and Wexford in control.
Athlone made a triple substitution at halftime and it certainly seemed to inject new life into the away side. With quality crossing, Athlone applied huge pressure on the Wexford goal including three corners in quick succession at the start of the second period. From the third of these, the ball broke to Fuentes Rodriguez who brought Athlone back into the game at 2-1 with a close finish. Prior to that, Thomas Oluwa had a good chance with a header for Wexford but put it just wide of the Athlone post and later Thomas created a very good one-on-one with Minogue after some sterling work but skied it over. With Wexford not really able to get their foot on the ball, Athlone continued to hunt for a second goal and eventually got it when a long throw found its way straight into the Wexford net but with just enough of a touch to legitimise the goal. Owen Mason then made a good save from Athlone’s Ibrahim and Wexford sub, Cian Curtis, also tested Minogue with a low shot on target. Further subs for Wexford were Darragh Levingston and Ben Lynch. 2-2 at fulltime.
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