League Report: UCD AFC 1 - 1 Athlone Town

Athlone Town fought back after conceding an early Gary O’Neill strike to earn a share of the spoils against UCD AFC at the UCD Bowl on Friday evening thanks to a goal from David Cassidy.

UCD in search of back-to-back victories for the first time this season had the game’s first effort when Gary O’Neill’s long range strike sailed over the Athlone crossbar.

Moments later, the sid’s exchanged opportunities. First Cassidy fired over from an Ian Fletcher cross before Maxi Kouogun headed wide a Kieran Marty Waters free-kick.

In an end-to-end opening ten minutes, Athlone will feel they should have taken the lead through Jack Tuite, but the centre-back fired wide from close range.

The Students did however break the deadlock soon after when O’Neill nipped in to win possession midway inside the Athlone half before he raced towards goal and fired low past Evan Moran from 25 yards.

Soon after the hosts had a chance to extend their advantage but Ryan Swan failed to direct Sean Coynes cross towards goal.

With just under 25 minutes on the clock, the visitors equalised when UCD failed to clear an effort from Emeka Onwubiko. Val Feeney’s cross found Cassidy unmarked from close range and the ex-Bray Wanderers skipper made no mistake from close range. 

As UCD continued to live dangerously at the back Onwubiko was next to try his luck, but his shot from outside the box sailed over Niall Corbet’s crossbar. Moments later Marco Chindea fired a free-kick wide from outside the penalty area.

With half-time fast approaching, UCD began to find a strong foothold in the game and Waters forced an excellent stop from Moran with a thunderbolt effort from long range.

Soon after Waters was involved again; this time his free-kick found Kouogun free inside the penalty area. However the central defender failed to add to his two league goals when his headed effort went over the bar.

Georgie Kelly had UCD’s last chance of the half soon after. After some good play from Swan down the left flank, his cross was half cleared as far as Kelly whose low effort forced an excellent save from the Midlanders keeper.

After the teams emerged from the half-time break, chances on target were at a premium during the second-half. With 58 minutes on the clock, O’Neill had the half’s first effort on goal, but his strike from outside the box failed to trouble the visiting ‘keeper.

Soon after that Swan should have done better from a knockdown from Kelly, but the forward’s volley from close range sailed over the crossbar. With little over 20 minutes remaining, Waters drew Moran into another brilliant save after the winger cut inside before striking from an acute angle.

The sides exchanged chances soon after - first Ian Fletcher shot from outside the box, forcing Corbert into a low save before UCD’s Kelly headed wide from a long range free-kick.

Soon after, substitute Daire O’Connor forced Moran into a strong save with an effort from outside the box that was tipped over the crossbar by the shot-stopper.

With injury-time fast approaching, the Midlanders had a chance to snatch all three points. Some good play from Onwubiko on the edge of the Students box created the chance.  Chindea split the defence with a lovely ball but Corbet stood tall and made a brilliant stop to deny Athlone Skipper Daniel Purdy from close range.

UCD AFC: Niall Corbet; Mark Langtry, Maxi Kouogun, Brian Shortall, Sean Coyne; Cathal Brady (Daire O’Connor 68), Gary O’Neill Dylan Watts, Kieran Marty Waters (Jason McClelland 78); Georgie Kelly, Ryan Swan.

Subs Not Used: Conor O’Donnell, Josh Collins, Adam Harney, Greg Sloggett, Jack Watson.

Booked: Sean Coyne (21), Ryan Swan (45), Marty Waters (60), Dylan Watts (90).

Athlone Town: Evan Moran; Calvin Douglas, Jack Tuite, Kevin Farragher, Ian Fletcher; Daniel Purdy, David Cassidy, Val Feeney, Marco Chindea; Alan O’Sullivan, Emeka Onwubiko.

Subs Not Used: Sean Nolan, Simon Dixon, Ross Purdy, Cian O’Sullivan, Danny Molloy, Adam Kelly, Daryl Carrigy.

Booked: Daniel Purdy (8).

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea.

Attendance: 250 (estimate).

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: David Cassidy (Athlone Town).