The fans gathered in Ferrycarrig Park to cheer on Wexford in their push to secure a playoff spot, with less than ten league fixtures remaining until the end of the regular season.
Going into the match, both Ryan Ritchie and Jamie Wynne returned to the starting XI having served suspensions previously picked up during the 2-1 victory over Bray on 3rd of August. St. Patrick’s Athletic loanee Rhys Bartley also returned to the starting eleven to make his first league appearance in nearly a month.
Early pressure by Max Murphy would force a solid save from Athlone shot-stopper Brendan Clarke, as the fullback looked to continue his goalscoring form following a sublime finish last time out against UCD.
A fourteenth minute Robert Lyons’ effort for Athlone would be blasted over from twelve yards out, albeit against the run of play.
The home side would respond quickly. Less than a minute later Gavin Hodgins would get his head onto the end of a Mikie Rowe cross but was unable to find the target from close range.
Max Murphy would continue to press high and would have a well-struck shot from range blocked in the 29th minute.
Somewhat unluckily, three minutes later Kian Dignam would bring down Patrick Ferry in the Wexford box, with referee Ian O’Keeffe awarding a penalty for visitors.
The Athlone forward would put his side up 1-0 with a well-placed penalty in the 34th minute.
Wexford would continue to pressure the Athlone backline, however, and Ryan Ritchie would force a good save from Brendan Clarke in the 41st minute – his low, driven shot well saved by the Athlone keeper.
The away side would remain ahead going into halftime, with neither side opting to make changes during the break.
Paul Martin would be the first of the two keepers called into action in the second half, making two saves against Lomboto and Cleary in quick succession.
Wexford would continue their search for an equalizer, with Mikie Rowe winning a dangerous free kick on the edge of the Athlone area. Max Murphy would feed a tempting cross into the box, where Ryan Ritchie would fire wide with fifty-five minutes gone.
Changes around the hour mark for Wexford would introduce Ryan Butler and Gideon Tetteh.
Both substitutes would bring needed energy into the game, with Tetteh creating chances for both Max Murphy and Mikie Rowe – resulting in yet another corner for the home side in the 68th minute.
Five minutes later, Jake Doyle would force a brilliant save from close range against Brendan Clarke before Max Murphy would receive his marching orders after a tough challenge — all in the span of sixty seconds.
Despite being a man down, Wexford would continue the hunt for an equalizer.
Ryan Ritchie would solidify himself as Wexford’s standout player on the night with a brilliant last man tackle on Peter Grogan to keep the tie in the balance.
However, a deflected cross in the Wexford area would allow Callum Cleary to double the visitors’ lead just as the clock ticked past ninety.
Ten men Wexford would continue to pressure Athlone, with Giddeon Tetteh winning a number of set pieces past the ninety-minute mark, however the score would remain the same as the visitors would take all three points on the night.
Wexford can feel hard done by the scoreline given they created numerous chances and forced a half-dozen saves from Athlone goalie Brendan Clarke but can take great confidence from individual performances from the likes of youngsters Ryan Ritchie and Gideon Tetteh.
Attention now turns towards a heavyweight clash away to Cork City at Turners Cross on 28th August.
Wexford FC: Martin, Murphy, McCourt, Bartley, Rowe (C), Harnett, Wynne, Ritchie, Hodgins, Dignam, Doyle.
Athlone Town: Crawford, Clarke (C), O’Connor, D. Connolly, A. Connolly, Brennan, McManus, Ferry, Lyons, Lomboto, Cleary.
Scorers: Ferry (34’), Cleary (90’)
Attendance: 323
Report: David Murtagh
