League Preview: Wexford Youths -v- Athlone Town

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Wexford suffered a late flurry of goals in the UCD Bowl last week, losing by three goals to their promotion rivals. With table-toppers Finn Harps hosting The Students, Wexford have the opportunity to gain an advantage from one of their rivals dropping points.

Manager Shane Keegan expressed his eagerness to put last week’s defeat behind them saying that they will be looking “to bounce back straight away.”

“In truth the final score in Belfield was very misleading. Once we got the equaliser I was sure we would go on and win it but we had a very poor 15 minute spell and were heavily punished.” he said.

Midfielder Craig Wall expressed his intent going into the clash claiming the team need to prove themselves on a weekly basis.

“Whether they have a new manager or not it was going to be a tough game regardless, but that's what we expect every week,” he said.

‘’Every game in this league is tough, so we have some very good technical players and we are mentally strong as a group but there is no point in saying that. We need to go out and show it on the pitch every week because at the end of the season, winners win and losers have excuses.”

Keegan has very little to worry about regarding his squad’s fitness with midfielder Dean Broaders the only player to be ruled out with an achilles problem.

ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone’s players will be expected to have an immediate response to the arrival of experienced manager Alan Matthews.

Speaking on Midlands Radio last week Matthews said, “there’s nothing decided in May, it’s all decided in October. There’s a lot of work to be done obviously to make up some ground on the clubs ahead of us but with the squad that’s there I firmly believe that with a little bit of luck there’s no reason why we can’t chip away at that gap and get in contention for promotion.’’

Matthew’s main concern will be his defence after a series of errors lead to them conceding three goals against Shelbourne last week. With Keenan and Furlong’s record up front for Wexford, The Midlanders will need to be concentrating fully or they will be punished.

Midfielder Eric Foley is suspended for the tie.

Athlone will go on to face Finn Harps next week giving Matthew’s side the opportunity to make up the ground playing two of the teams currently ahead of them in the table.

Referee: Andrew Mullally

MATCH STATS

Strikers Danny Furlong and Aidan Keenan have scored 18 goals between them this season making up 75% of all of Youth’s goals and scoring two more than Athlone.

Athlone have only managed one win in their last eight attempts.

Athlone have failed to score in their last two away games.

BETTING

Wexford 10/11; Draw 11/5; Athlone 3/1.

PREDICTION

Wexford Youths 2 – 1 Athlone Town

Wexford Youths

Injured: Dean Broaders (achilles)

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Athlone Town

Injured: Aidan Collins, Philip Gorman, Aidan Friel.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Eric Foley.