A Maddie Gibson hat-trick sends Athlone to their first ever EVOKE.ie FAI Cup Final

Athlone Town 3-0 Wexford Youths

A Maddison Gibson hat-trick created history for Athlone Town as the club now look forward to their first ever EVOKE.ie FAI Cup Final after a 3-0 victory over Wexford Youths.

Gibson set the game alight with a stunning goal inside the opening three minutes for the hosts.

A short corner from Kayleigh Shine to Gibson concluded with the Athlone striker showing impressive control on the edge of the box before shimmying past Nicola Sinnott and launching an unstoppable effort off her left foot into the far corner of the net.

An early blow for the visitors but with plenty of time to regroup and get themselves back on level terms.

Regroup is what they did as they enjoyed plenty of possession after conceding for the remainder of the opening half.

With plenty of experience throughout the side Wexford certainly didn't press the panic button with a relaxed tempo to their play as they tried to eke out a chance or two of their own.

A long distance effort from Becky Watkins on fifteen minutes was the first real chance of note for Wexford but her powerful drive whistled just inches over the bar causing no real concern for Niamh Coombes in the Athlone goal.

Wexford continued to push forward looking comfortable in possession as they showed glimpses of how dangerous they could be on the counter attack.

The warning signs were there for Athlone as Ciara Rossiter began to put the pressure on Athlone and cause problems in attack.

The experienced winger showed great feet out on the left before drilling a ball right across the Athlone box but with no other white jerseys close enough to goal Athlone could clear with ease.

A lapse of concentration from Wexford goalkeeper Maeve Williams on the half hour mark gifted Gibson her