Finn Harps -v- Athlone Town

Finn Harps, fresh from FAI Cup victory over Wexford Youths, welcome Athlone Town to Finn Park on Saturday night as the teams with the best defences in the First Division go head to head. (kick-off 7.45pm)

FINN HARPS

Having lost to Wexford Youths in the league, Finn Harps made amends by defeating the same opposition in the FAI Cup a week later. It capped off what has been a productive May for the Donegal side.

An away draw with Cobh Ramblers followed by victories over league leaders Longford Town and challengers Mervue United has seen Peter Hutton's men move to 2nd in the Airtricity League First Division table.

Harps boss Hutton was pleased with cup progression despite not being totally impressed with the performance.

“First half I thought we actually started quite well but then allowed Wexford to dominate proceedings. We sat back all over the park and allowed them to dictate play whilst our passing and movement wasn’t very good. 

“We addressed a few things at half time and changed our shape to get a stranglehold of the game; consequently I felt we were much better in the second half and on the balance of play I feel we thoroughly deserved to progress to the next round.

“Performance wise I felt we were very poor in the first half but second half we were much improved.  There is certainly room for improvement but as I said previously, the cup is all about getting into the next round so from that point of view I’m content we got the job done.”

Harps welcome club captain Kevin McHugh back from suspension for the game, although there are doubts hanging over the fitness of Johnny Bonner and Michael Doherty. Four Harps players will also miss out due to a club suspension for competing in a football tournament.

“James Doherty, Shaun McGowan, Paul McVeigh and Mark Forker have all been suspended for two weeks for participating in a football tournament over the weekend so all four will not be available for selection,” confirmed Hutton.

ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone Town will be looking to bounce back from Cup defeat to non-League side Bluebell United when they travel northwest to Ballybofey. After an energy sapping 210 minutes of football against the Dublin Leinster Senior League side, the midlanders eventually lost out by the odd goal in nine over the two games.

The defeat was only the second time in the club's history that a non league team had been victorious over Athlone in the FAI Cup with the last time happening back in 1928 when they lost 9-3 to Drumcondra.

Athlone Town lie in fifth in the table however they are only two points behind second-placed Finn Harps so a win would seen them leap-frog the Donegal side.  

Roddy Collins heads into this game without any suspensions but has injury problems with Niall Scullion suffering a possible reoccurrence of a metatarsal and the clubs leading scorer Ian Sweeney who was replaced mid way through the second half of the cup defeat suffering from ankle ligament trouble.  Both are considered to have a 50/50 chance of playing.

Referee: Rhona Daly

MATCH STATS

Athlone Town's record in Finn Park shows only one win in the last 21 years with that victory coming in May 2012 when goals from Stephen Relihan and Brian McCarthy secured a 2-1 victory. 

Four of the last seven games between the sides in Ballybofey have ended in draws.

Finn Harps and Athlone Town have the best defences in the league, each team conceding 12 goals in 12 games played.

BETTING
Finn Harps evens; Draw 11/5; Athlone Town 5/2

PREDICTION
Finn Harps only home defeat in the league this season has been to Waterford United by a single goal back in April and have only conceded two goals in six games in Finn Park. Athlone have a steady away record this season, recording two wins, two draws and two losses, scoring eight and conceding seven. I'm going to go with a narrow victory for the home side: Finn Harps 1 - 0 Athlone Town

Finn Harps

Injured: None
Doubtful: Johnny Bonner (thigh), Michael Doherty.
Suspended: None.
Club Suspension: Shaun McGowan, Paul McVeigh, James Doherty, Mark Forker.

Athlone Town

Injured: None.
Doubtful: Niall Scullion (metatarsal), Ian Sweeney (ankle ligament) - both 50/50.
Suspended: None.