Hamm strike seals victory for Athlone to end relegation fears

ROBBIE Hamm"s 70th minute strike secured an all too rare victory for Athlone Town on Saturday evening - and in the process ensured the club"s League of Ireland status for another year. After a season of serious struggle - which has been intensified in recent weeks by the non-payment of wages to players and management staff - the club will be somewhat relieved to have the threat of relegation from the First Division out of the way with two league games remaining. Sadly, though, it shows exactly how far Athlone Town have fallen in the League of Ireland stakes that mere survival in the First Division was viewed as some form of minor success. The harsh reality of the situation - and the paltry attendance at Saturday"s match rammed the point home - is that Athlone is a club in serious crisis. With debts currently mounting off the field and performances on the field offering little in terms of hope for Athlone"s long suffering supporters, the future looks about as bleak as the season that has just been. At least Athlone won"t be put through the torture of a potential relegation play-off after Saturday"s narrow victory. Coupled with bottom placed Kildare County"s draw against Monaghan Utd at the weekend, Athlone"s win over a young and vastly depleted Wexford means the Town live to fight another day in the League of Ireland. But unless serious improvements are made to the squad next season - and not the expected further cutbacks rumoured to be on the cards - Athlone will be in jeopardy of dropping out of the league in the coming years. That"s how worrying and sad the club"s plight has become. Following last Tuesday"s inept showing against Sporting Fingal, which led to a rather tame 1-0 home defeat for Athlone, the Town introduced youngster Robbie Egan for his first start in an Athlone shirt. Nigel Keady and Jim Sheridan remained on the injured list while Eric Lavine returned to the starting line-up in place of David O"Dowd. Wexford, meanwhile, were without the services of key players such as Patsy Malone, Paul Murphy and Conor Sinnott. Noel McGee and Eric Lavine combined early on to win the game"s first corner. Joey Maloney, Athlone"s most dangerous attacking force on the night, floated in a good corner and the ball broke to Jason McCartney just inside the Wexford box. McCartney"s effort lacked sufficient power but Philip Reilly flicked the ball goalwards, but his header drifted well wide of the target. Wexford"s Kyle Dempsey went down under an innocuous challenge by Colm Jinks in the ninth minute but was forced off the field with an ankle injury. Eric Lavine forced another corner in the 13th minute and Joey Maloney again delivered a dangerous cross but Philip Reilly"s header was always going too high. Wexford right back Warren Broaders received the game"s first booking for dragging back Jason McCartney. Again, Joey Maloney"s free kick was delivered in fine fashion but Ritchie Fitzgerald managed to hack the ball clear inside the six-yard box. On 19 minutes, Robbie Hamm tried his luck from distance but his effort went harmlessly wide. However, Hamm would have better luck later in proceedings. Wexford "keeper William Doyle made the first of a string of excellent saves when turning away a rasping effort by Joey Maloney on 28 minutes. Before half-time, Doyle would make further good saves from Colm Jinks and his own defender, Paul Rossiter, to keep the score level at the interval. Early in the second half, Colm Jinks was the first Athlone player to be booked and Athlone were almost in front on 54 minutes but again Doyle was in impressive form, turning Des Hope"s downward header around the post. Colm Jinks then did well to slide Jason McCartney in behind the Wexford defence but Marty Kelly got back in time to clear the danger. A rare Wexford counter attack saw the impressive Ritchie Fitzgerald burst down the left side of the field. His low cross picked out substitute Lee Aust but he failed to get a proper connection and the deadlock remained unbroken. Joey Maloney then set up a golden opportunity for Noel McGee but the striker somehow headed wide from no more than six yards. It was quite unlike McGee. However, McGee played an integral role in the game"s only goal, piercing the Wexford defence to set up Robbie Hamm and the left back drilled the ball past Doyle and into the bottom corner of the net. Moments later, Robbie Egan"s long range drive was narrowly off target, before Des Hope headed over the crossbar when it seemed easier to score. Wexford rallied briefly in the closing stages and Athlone needed a good block by Robbie Egan to deny Fitzgerald a late equaliser. Best for Athlone on the night were Des Hope, Noel McGee and Joey Maloney but otherwise the performance was not of a high standard at all. Athlone are now eight points clear of bottom placed Kildare with just two games remaining. The Town"s final two matches are against promotion chasing Dundalk and fellow strugglers Longford Town. Athlone Town: Ciaran Kelly; Robbie Egan; Robbie Hamm; Des Hope; Ian Rossiter; Philip Reilly; Colm Jinks; Joey Maloney; Eric Lavine; Noel McGee; Jason McCartney. Subs: David O"Dowd for Jinks (57 mins); Ian Coffey for Maloney (74); Carmine Russo for McGee (85). Wexford Youths: William Doyle; Warren Broaders; Keith Kearney; Paul Rossiter; Stuart Lawlor; Anthony Russell; Gavin Doyle; Marty Kelly; Kyle Dempsey; David Miller; Ritchie Fitzgerald. Subs: Lee Aust for K. Dempsey (12 mins); Shane Dempsey for Broaders (68); Craig McGuire for Miller (87). Referee: Conor Fitzgerald.