Late goal earns Athlone a vital win over Wexford

With the League campaign now taking a two week break for the opening stages of the European Championships, Athlone Town are well placed going into the summer recess to stake a claim on a play-off slot, following a crucial win over Wexford Youths last Friday night. The Town recovered from being in arrears at half-time to get back on level terms soon after the restart and then claimed full points with a late winner at Ferrycarrig Park. The opening half contained few clear-cut chances as Wexford headed off for half-time with a narrow lead following a neat finish from Tom Elmes after 27 minutes. The home side had the first chance when Elmes had a shot saved after just two minutes, following a left wing cross from Aidan Keenan. The first corner kick of the game fell the Youths' way after 10 minutes, but Ian Sweeney almost capped his first League start for Athlone with a goal on the quarter hour mark. Mark Sherlock linked up with Val Feeney on the right and when the low cross picked out Sweeney, the young striker should have finished to the net, but Graham Doyle parried the shot which was then put behind for the Town's first corner kick. Soon afterwards, Jennings made the first of a number of crucial saves when he tipped over a long range effort from Craig Wall which threatened to creep under the crossbar if left unattended. A half which was meandering aimlessly towards half-time suddenly came to life on 27 minutes with the opening goal, as the home side sprung the offside trap with deadly effect. A long ball forward released Elmes and with the Town cover badly exposed, the number nine advanced goalwards to fire a shot through the keeper's legs and into the net. On the stroke of half-time, Sweeney was again handed the opportunity to open his goal account in the league but once more was denied by Doyle who pushed his shot over the bar. Wexford held on to head off for the break with a narrow lead following a low key opening 45 minutes. Athlone were a different proposition on the resumption of play and, within three minutes, were back on level terms, after Wexford gave away a needless penalty. Sherlock stepped forward to take the spotkick and sent the keeper the wrong way with a well struck effort. Niall Scullion ventured forward to fire over after 55 minutes but, three minutes later, came the turning point when Jennings prevented the Youths from regaining the lead with a fine stop. Elmes looked set to grab his second of the game after a left wing cross had picked him out, but his shot was blocked by the Town keeper. Inspired by their keeper, Athlone pressed forward and a Feeney corner kick was punched clear after 63 minutes while, soon afterwards, from another Feeney dead ball delivery, Tommy Barrett's header went just wide. Elmes was still proving a handful for the Town defence and the home striker had another chance when he raced across the goalmouth from the left, but the danger was cleared. The next goal was always going to be crucial between two evenly matched sides and Athlone struck for the winner with seven minutes remaining. Noel McGee had joined the action as a replacement for Damien Rushe and was to make an almost instant impression. His cross from the left seemed to be touched past the keeper by Sherlock from six yards out. Although both Athlone players claimed the goal in the immediate aftermath, it appeared from a vantage point behind the goalmouth that Sherlock had helped the cross into the net past the despairing dive of the keeper. However, some reports credited McGee as the scorer. In any case, it was a vital goal for the visitors. The goal arose from a corner kick taken by Feeney which was headed clear, and McGee then cleverly sent the loose ball back into the danger zone. Several injuries and six substitutions led to five minutes of stoppage time being indicated, and there was one final scare for Athlone before the win could be celebrated. The game had amazingly headed into the sixth additional minute when Wexford had a last gasp chance to grab an equaliser through Elmes. Again the Youths striker found space inside the penalty area for a shot, but Jennings was alive to the danger and got down well to push the ball around his post. There was just enough time for the corner kick to be taken before the referee blew the final whistle and Athlone can be well pleased with the hard earned win which leapfrogs them over the Youths into fourth place as the season now takes a break for two weeks before resuming again later in June. Wexford Youths: Graham Doyle, Mark Phelan, James Dermody, Jamie Carr (James Scallon, 61 mins), CJ Browne (Shane Dempsey, 83), Paul Malone, Aidan Keenan, Craig Wall, Tom Elmes, Shane Nolan, Brian Nolan (Dean Broaders, 71). Athlone Town: Pat Jennings, Joe Woods, Niall Scullion, Tommy Barrett (Warren Conroy, 80 mins), Brian McCarthy, Damien Rushe (Noel McGee, 77), Jason Hughes, Brian Gill, Mark Sherlock, Val Feeney (Sean Guerins, 91), Ian Sweeney. Referee: Kevin O'Regan (Kerry).