Wexford FC Women suffered a narrow away defeat to high flying Athlone on Saturday night, Chloe Singleton scoring the only goal of a tightly contested game. Wexford remain placed eight in the Premier Division table.
Hugh Strong named the same starting eleven from last week for the trip to the midlands and Wexford put in a strong showing in a first half with few chances. The hosts are the reigning FAI Cup champions and one of the favourites to win the League this year but they failed to trouble Wexford in the first 45, Shauna Brennan’s right foot shot in the 33rd minute their best chance but her well struck effort drifted wide at the last second.
Ceola Bergin had a good chance just before that after a flowing Wexford move but her left foot shot was deflected away for a corner. Della Doherty came close again from the resulting set piece but she shot over from close range.
The start of the second half saw a flurry of efforts on goal from Wexford, Ciara Rossiter’s thumping effort shortly after the restart just missed the top corner. Méabh Russell and Áine Walsh also tested Katie Keane in the Town goal with long range shots.
Casey Howe should have put the hosts in front in the 60th minute but the Northern Ireland international blasted over. The home crowd however were celebrating ten minutes later when Singleton found the corner of the net from just inside the box.
Wexford had plenty of possession in the final twenty but never really got behind the Town defence, the midlanders holding on to their hard earned lead comfortably.
Wexford FC Women: Merren, Russell, Tuthill (De Mange 81′), Doherty, Conlon, Rossiter, Murphy (c), Clancy (Lenihan 81′), Molloy, Bergin (Corbet 66′), Walsh (McGrath 81′)
Suns Not Used: Williams, Nix, Sinnott, Lynch, Fitzpatrick
Athlone Town: Keane, K Brennan, Shine, S Brennan, Rossman, Slevin, Singleton, Howe (Keenan 85′), L Ryan (c), Molloy (Brown 71′), Gibson
Subs Not Used: Mahon, I Ryan, Guvo, Phillips, Murphy O’Connor, Donegan, O’Neill
