League Preview: Athlone Town -v- Wexford

ATHLONE TOWN

In the midst of a barren 14 game winless run, Athlone Town host fellow basement strugglers Wexford at Lissywoolen on Friday evening (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

The Blue and Black of the Midlands head into this weekend’s round of action on the back of a positive result in Galway last time out thanks to a 1-1 draw at Éamonn Deacy Park.

However, Dean Williams, who scored the equaliser for Athlone at the Dyke Road venue will play no further part in Athlone’s season having departed the club to join Bray Wanderers on loan.

In addition, Kaleem Simon has also left the club as has Evan White who joined Irish League side Warrenpoint Town in recent days.

However, Butler has in fact bolstered his ranks with the acquisitions of Jamie Hamilton, formerly of Bohemians and Michael Quinn once of the Dublin GAA minor panel.

After scoring twice in his last two games, Evan Pierce will be looking to continue his red-hot form against the league’s basement side as he looks to fill the void left by Shamrock Rovers loanee Williams.

In further team news for Athlone, Gavin Kearney will be forced to sit out of the action with a foot injury.

WEXFORD

With an ideal opportunity to leapfrog Athlone Town to ninth place, Wexford travel to Athlone Town on Friday evening hooping to arrest their recent run of poor results.

While the performances have often been there, the Slaneysiders have wins hard to come by and it will become no easier for Brian O’Sullivan’s side in the coming weeks following the departure of Jack Doherty on Friday morning.

Doherty played an integral role in Wexford’s first half of the season with his technical ability standing out for the Ferrycarrig Park outfit.

In addition, Sean Callan has also left the club following the conclusion of his loan deal, returning to his parent club Shamrock Rovers.

O’Sullivan and his squad will have seen his sides cause aided by the recent arrivals of Shane Griffin on loan from Waterford while Ricky Fox, Andrew O’Connor, Andy Mulligan and John Peare have all also re-joined the club.

To compound their recent worries, the duo of Chris Kenny and Mulligan will both miss out on the trip to the Co. Westmeath venue with injury and fitness issues.

Referee: Paula Brady.

MATCH STATS

Athlone Town are winless in their last 14 league games, with their most recent win coming over Bray Wanderers in March.

Terry Butler’s side will be looking to rediscover their opening day form when they host the Slaneysiders given their superb 4-2 win back in February over Wexford.  

Wexford won the last meeting between the pair of basement battlers with a comfortable two-nil win at Ferrycarrig Park.

BETTING

Athlone Town EVS; Draw 12/5; Wexford 2/1.

PREDICTION

Athlone Town 2 - 1 Wexford

Athlone Town

Injured: Gavin Kearney.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Wexford

Injured: Chris Kenny, Andy Mulligan.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.