Athlone Town -v- Wexford Youths
Credit:
Athlone Town
Athlone welcome Wexford Youths on Friday night looking to address the home form that has seen them gain just four points from a possible fifteen in Lissywollen.
Last Friday they were unlucky to succumb to a late Limerick winner but their lack of potency up front, they have only scored eleven times at home, has seen their promotion play-off challenge falter.
Their quest for goals will not have been helped by the injury to top scorer Noel McGhee, who has suffered a reoccurrence of a calf injury in training prior to the Limerick game and will miss at least the next two weeks.
Eric Molloy and Damien Rushe are both doubtful with their respective injuries and Val Feeney may again be rested for this game after putting in an impressive performance for the home based Irish U16s during the week in their 3-0 win over Peterborough in the AUL.
The new additions to the squad, particularly Stephen Last in defence and Mark McGoldrick in attack, have strengthened the side and Mick Kerley will hope that it is enough to triumph in what is a must win game for the home team.
Wexford Youths
Wexford head to the midlands looking for their first win since May 11th and their first away victory since a Danny Furlong strike was enough to beat Athlone the last time the two teams met in Lissywollen on the 6th of April.
A run of three draws and a home loss to Mervue United has left Shane Keegan challenging his team to show they have the requisite character to compete for fourth spot and finish the season on a high.
He told the club website, “I think more so than any other game this season, I think the game this Friday night is going to show our character and what we are made of ... it’s a huge, huge test for the lads they have to bounce back from a very disappointing performance last Friday. If they are not able to show strength of character and bounce back from it and give 100% and possibly get our three pts, if we are not able to do that then we don’t deserve to be challenging for the fourth spot come the end of the season.”
The manager has a full squad to pick from as he has no fresh injury of suspension concerns.
Referee: Andrew Mullally
Match Stats
Both teams have recorded a win over each other this season with Wexford winning 1-0 in the corresponding fixture in Series 1 while Athlone were 2-1 winners in the Ferrycarrig Park Series 2 fixture.
Only bottom club SD Galway have scored fewer goals in the First Division than Athlone this season.
Wexford’s victory over Athlone in Lissywollen on April 6th was their first away win over the midlands side since April 2009.
Betting
Athlone Town Evs Draw 9/4 Wexford Youths 5/2
Prediction
Athlone Town 2-1 Wexford Youths
Athlone Town Injury News: Paul Danaher (anterior cruciate ligament), Noel McGee (Calf), Eric Molloy (Calf) Damien Rushe (Groin)
Athlone Town Unavailable: Garvan Broughall, Stephen Relihan Scott Gaynor
Athlone Town Suspension News: None
Wexford Youths Injury News: None
Wexford Youths Suspension News: None
