Longford Town 0 - 1 Athlone Town
Credit:
Barry Clancy’s first half goal was enough to give Athlone Town a very valuable win over their great rivals in the Midlands El Clasico and in doing so opened up a five point lead at the top of the table going into the final series of games.
Clancy found the net from a free in the 33rd minute that seemed to get a slight deflection. Although Longford dominated the second half and created several chances they couldn’t find a way past Athlone netminder Paul Skinner.
The first half wasn’t great fare with Athlone settling in quickly and looking the more composed side. They created the first real chance on goal as early as the 4th minute with Mark Hughes forcing Chris Bennion into making a good save.
Longford had some half chances after that but nothing to trouble Skinner as the game failed to liven up. Athlone’s Enda Curran flashed a shot wide in the 28th minute and then three minutes later Longford had a good chance; Derek O’Brien’s pinpoint cross met David O’Sullivan but his header lacked real power and Skinner was able to save.
Two minutes later and the deadlock was broken; Willie Tyrrell fouled Roddy Collins Jnr on the edge of the box, up stepped Clancy with the kick that got a slight deflection to beat Bennion who was rooted to the spot.
That goal gave Athlone a lift and they started to pass the ball around with ease, although they didn’t do anything constructive with it. Longford just stood off them and allowed them to play. Knowing that they needed to attack after the break Longford manager Tony Cousins decided to bring on Gary Shaw and the striker made a huge difference. Six minutes into the second half he really should’ve levelled the game but when through on goals and with just Skinner to beat his shot hit the side netting instead of the target.
Longford continued to press but their finishing let them down after they created some good opportunities. Athlone stood firm and defended resolutely as Longford continued to pile on the pressure.
Ryan Connolly had a half chance for Longford in the 67th minute and 10 minutes later Shaw got himself into a good position but headed his effort over the bar.
With Longford continuing to attack Athlone knew they could maybe catch them on the counter and that nearly happened in the 79th minute; a corner from O'Brien was whipped in but no Longford player could get on the end of it. Athlone broke down the field with Curran through on goal but Longford defender Corie Tracey put in an excellent tackle to dispossess him.
In the 82nd minute Willie Tyrrell put in a neat ball but Shaw just couldn't connect when right in front of goals. Four minutes later the same player brought a very good diving save out of Skinner.
With time running out Longford kept searching for that elusive equaliser and in the 89th minute they thought they had got the goal they deserved; O’Brien’s perfect cross from the right found the head of O’Sullivan but Skinner pulled off an excellent save to keep his goal intact and Athlone held out for a very important derby win. It’s very much advantage Athlone at this stage.
Longford Town: Chris Bennion; Noel Haverty, Des Hope, Corie Tracey, Willie Tyrrell; Daniel Purdy (David O’Neill 69), Keith Gillespie (Rhys Gorman 45), Ryan Connolly, Derek O’Brien; Josh O’Hanlon (Gary Shaw ht), David O’Sullivan.
Subs not used: Paul Hunt, Brian McCarthy, Dean Ebbe, Gavin Doyle.
Bookings: Willie Tyrrell 32, Noel Haverty 73, Rhys Gorman 88.
Athlone Town: Paul Skinner; Roddy Collins Jnr, Aiden Collins (Conor McMahon 25), Robbie Clarke (Sean Byrne 55), Neil Harney; Mark Hughes, Graham Kelly, Garvan Broughall, Barry Clancy; Philly Gorman (Garbhan Coughlan 73), Enda Curran.
Subs not used: Craig Sexton, Niall Lanigan, Niall Scullion, Ian Sweeney.
Booking: Roddy Collins Jnr 1
Referee: Keith Callanan (Cork)
Attendance: 1,115 official
Extratime.ie man of the match: Paul Skinner (Athlone Town)
