League Report: Sligo Rovers 2 - 1 Athlone Town

Athlone Town’s first game in the Premier Division in 18 years has ended in defeat following a 2-1 defeat away to Sligo Rovers.

Athlone took the lead through Philip Gorman from the penalty spot, but Ian Baraclough’s men fought back to secure all three points courtesy of goals from John Russell and Evan McMillan.

Rovers left-back Danny Ledwith struck the inside of the near post with a free-kick on the edge of the box after just three minutes. This was quickly followed by Alan Keane crossing for Sean Maguire who headed over the crossbar.

Following this pulsating start from home side, the tempo quickly dropped, with the next effort of note coming on 17 minutes when James O’Brien had Athlone’s only chance of the half, scuffing a shot into the arms of Gary Rogers.

A lofted ball into the box turned into an audacious effort from 35 yards by Ledwith just minutes later as it sailed narrowly wide of the post he earlier hit with a free-kick.

The FAI Cup holders continued to press, but with little success as their last chance of the opening 45 minutes fell to Kalen Spillane whose deflected shot looped dangerously towards goal, but Paul Skinner was able to breathe a sigh of relief as it landed on the roof of the net.

Sligo started the second half much like the first with a flurry of chances for Ledwith, David Cawley and Eric Odhiambo, but it was Athlone who would take the lead after 51 minutes when Philip Gorman scored from the penalty spot after Ledwith had handled the ball in the area.

Rovers pressed for an immediate equaliser and their consistent pressure eventually paid off 12 minutes later when a superb ball from David Cawley was met by the head of John Russell at the far post.

It remained all Sligo Rovers as they attempted to break down a stubborn Athlone defence for a second time, often being reduced to shooting from distance.

Their persistence finally paid off again three minutes from time when Russell turned provider as he swept a low ball in for the on rushing Evan McMillan to poke into the back of the net from close range.

James O’Brien came agonisingly close to making it 2-2 with a stinging shot from outside the box, but Rogers reacted with an equally brilliant save.

Sligo Rovers: Gary Rogers; Alan Keane, Kalen Spillane, Jeff Henderson, Danny Ledwith; Joseph Ndo, David Cawley (Paul O’Conor, 70), John Russell, Eric Odhiambo, Aaron Greene (Raffaele Cretaro, 63); Sean Maguire (Evan McMillan, 76).
Subs not used: Richard Brush, Seamus Conneely, Jake Dykes, Liam Flatley.

Bookings: Henderson (51), Ledwith (52).

Athlone Town: Paul Skinner; Kealan Dillon, Conor McMahon (Ian Sweeney, 89), Aidan Collins, Sean Byrne; Mark Hughes, James O’Brien, Alan Byrne, Jason Marks (Neil Harney, 82), Sean Brennan (Graham Rusk, 71); Philip Gorman.
Subs not used: Craig Sexton, Declan Brennan.

Bookings: A Byrne (50), Dillon (55), Marks (76).

Referee: Robert Rogers.

Attendance: 2,600

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: John Russell (Sligo Rovers).