Published: Wednesday, 5th May, 2010 5:00pm

Rowe strike sees Wexford defeat depleted Athlone

Wexford Youths 2 Athlone Town 1

THIS visit to the south-east proved to be Athlone Town's worst nightmare as they gave one of their poorest displays of the season in going under to struggling Wexford Youths in this Airtricity Division 1 game played at Ferrycarrig Park on Friday night last.

An 82nd minute Kevin Rowe strike helped Wexford Youths end their losing run with a thoroughly deserved victory over Athlone Town but questions will no doubt be asked of the midlanders who simply did not turn up for this game. They were outplayed all over the pitch and really they could and should have suffered a heavier defeat. It was only desperate defending and lack of finishing power from the home side that left just a single goal separating the sides on the final whistle.

The optimism surrounding Athlone Town following a bright enough start to the campaign quickly disappeared as they struggled from the kick-off. They lacked composure, which in turn saw them struggle even when in possession, while up front they created little apart from their single goal, that was totally against the run of play.

Wexford Youths have had a dismal start to the season but they looked a rejuvenated side through the opening 45 minutes. Such was their control of the opening half they forced nine corners, while the visitors threatened little in front of goal.

The home side's qualities may have been questioned over recent weeks, and right so after some dismal displays, but their response to the challenge was positive, as they totally dominated an Athlone Town side who, up to this game, had lost just once, and had become the draw specialists of the Division.

Wexford Youths, after a troublesome week having lost three games on the trot, been docked three points for playing a suspended player in their victory over Salthill Devon, never needed a boost more than in this home fixture.

The only attempt Athlone had on goal during the course of the ninety minutes was for their equalising goal, while, at the opposite end, Wexford Youths would not have been embarrassed had they gone in with at least a two goal cushion.

The corner count itself is an indication of Wexford Youths for it was 17-3 in their favour as they peppered the visitors' goal in search of the crucial goals to give them the all-important three points. Athlone Town's back four was subjected to considerable pressure and it was desperate defending which helped them deny the home side.

The Wexford side threatened in the opening minute with Gary Sheehan having a low shot well saved by keeper Chris Bennion. With Shane Dempsey and Jimmy Keohane dominating in midfield, and Danny Furlong posing a real threat up front, they came close to taking the lead on 13 minutes, but Furlong had his low short tipped around the post by keeper Bennion for a fruitless corner.

After 13 minutes, Furlong should have scored but took the wrong option. Having been played into space just outside the area to the right of goal, he had ample space and time to bring the ball on and take his opportunity, but he panicked and played the ball across goal, when he should have applied the finish himself.

Given their dominance, Wexford Youths needed a breakthrough. On 15 minutes, Sheehan broke down the left sent over a super low ball across the face of the goal, but the in-rushing Furlong just failed to connect, with a gaping goal in front of him.

Athlone Town were looking anything but composed at the back as they struggled to cope with the lightning attacks of the home side. Keeper Bennion spilled a Sheehan shot, with the ball being eventually hooked away to safety by Stephen Caffrey as Furlong tried to tap to the net from a few metres.

Wexford Youths were applying considerable pressure. This time it was nearly an own goal that looked like breaking the deadlock. John Byrne powered over a head high cross which was headed against the post by defender Brian McCarthy with keeper Bennion well beaten, but luckily for the midlanders, the ball rebounded out to safety.

It was a real let-off for the visitors who were being totally outplayed as they missed the services of regular centre-back, Des Hope (suspended), midfielder Robbie Benson (international duty) and striker Austin Skelly, their leading scorer.

Wexford Youths knew they needed a breakthrough before the interval given their total dominance and it arrived in the 39th minute. It was Furlong, who deservedly got the breakthrough having been so unlucky up to this, when he superbly lobbed Bennion who had come off his line. It was a thoroughly deserved 1-0 lead for the home side.

As the game moved into additional time, Athlone Town, in one of their few excursions into opposition territory, fashioned an equalising goal out of nothing. Stephen Place, having moved forward from midfield, placed a low ball to the right hand post, which was flicked to the net by Robbie Farrell, must to the frustration of keeper Packie Holden, who was none too pleased with his defenders.

It was a goal which came totally against the run of play, but Athlone Town must have been mighty relieved to go in 1-1 at the interval, leaving no doubt Wexford Youths totally frustrated.

Getting the three points was all important for Wexford given the fact that with the deduction of three points they had dropped back into the bottom three. They showed the mentality to meet such a challenge for their dominance was to continue through the second 45 minutes.

With Shane Dempsey powering his side forward, Jimmy Keohane and Danny Furlong tested the visitors' back four, but they were finding it difficult to source a breakthrough for the lead goal. Athlone Town had to wait until the 16th minute of the second half for their first corner which was capably handled by keeper Holden.

After 65 minutes, Gary Sheehan played a low ball across the face of the goal, but Dean Broaders just failed to get an outstretched boot to the ball.

Athlone Town were being totally outplayed in midfield, never looked like creating a winning goal, which must have left manager Brendan Place frustrated.

The game deteriorated in the second half with Wexford Youths, despite their dominance, having to wait until the 82nd minute for their crucial winning strike when a Kevin Rowe shot found its way through a packed goalmouth to nestle in the bottom right hand corner of the net.

Wexford Youths: Packie Holden, Anto Russell, David Breen, Anthony Woulfe, John Byrne (Shane Sinnott, 81), Shane Dempsey, Jimmy Keohane, Kevin Rowe (Chris Kenny 93), Danny Furlong, Gary Sheehan, Dean Broaders.

Athlone Town: Chris Bennion, Mark Nolan, Eoin O'Shea, Stephen Caffrey, Niall Scullion (Gordon Watson 86), Brian McCarthy, Richie O'Hanlon, Stephen Place, Robert Farrell, Noel McGee, Kevin Williamson (James Goggins 92).

Referee: Stuart Templemann (Kerry).