League Preview: Athlone Town -v- Drogheda United

ATHLONE TOWN

Bottom of the table Athlone Town will be looking to close the gap on the sides directly above them as they take on fellow strugglers Drogheda United at Athlone Town Stadium on Friday night, kick-off 7.45pm. 

The town are nine points adrift of eleventh placed Bohemians and a further two points off Drogheda as they seem destined for a direct return to the First Division next year. 

Manager Keith Long will be hoping to avoid that but he comes into Friday’s crucial clash with a number of injury concerns. Stephen Quigley, Graham Rusk, Philly Gorman, Sean Brennan and Derek Prendergast are all rated as doubtful. Former Drogheda defender Alan Byrne will also be missing though suspension as is left back Barry Clancy. 

The league campaign will take sole focus for Athlone between now and the end of the season after they were eliminated from the FAI Cup 2-0 at the hands of local rivals Longford Town last weekend. 

Speaking to Athlonetownfc.ie on the Longford defeat, Long said “We can’t allow ourselves to dwell on last weekend’s disappointing result as Friday’s league game is very important and it would be a great lift for all involved to get a win heading into the two week mid-season break.”

DROGHEDA UNITED

United come into the game in ninth position but can rise as high as sixth with a victory, depending on results elsewhere. 

The Boynesiders may have a sprinkling of confidence coming into the game having disposed of Ulster Senior League side Cockhill Celtic 4-2 in the second round of the FAI Cup last week. 

Speaking ahead of the trip to Athlone. Drogheda manager Robbie Horgan acknowledged that it may be the finer details that will decide Friday’s six-pointer.

“They are in a worse position than we are but they probably look at Friday’s game as an opportunity to really close the gap. I think it will be a cagey affair and the first goal could be critical. We need to get the right balance in the side particularly from set pieces as Athlone scored twice from corners against us at United Park. Their form has improved since Keith Long took over but we will be up for the game and looking for the three points.”

Drogheda may be reluctant to throw Michéal Schlingermann straight back into the starting line-up as the goalkeeper continues his return from a quad injury sustained on the opening night of the campaign. 

Definite absentees are Gavin Brennan through suspension while Stephen Maher should return after the midseason break. Ciaran McGuigan will be available, though, after he completed his work commitments in America. 

Referee: Padraigh Sutton

MATCH STATS

Drogheda defeated Athlone at United Park back in March 3-2 courtesy of a treble from Declan O’Brien.

United have won one of their last ten league games while Athlone have only picked up one victory all season, a 2-0 win over UCD three weeks ago.

The away side were victorious the last time Drogheda visited Athlone as current Town player Sean Brennan scored a double for United as they advanced a 5-2 win on their way to the 2012 EA Sports Cup trophy.

BETTING

Athlone 11/8, Draw 11/5, Drogheda 15/8.

PREDICTION

Athlone Town 2-2 Drogheda United

Athlone Town

Injured: None.
Doubtful: Stephen Quigley, Graham Rusk, Philly Gorman, Sean Brennan, Derek Prendergast.
Suspended: Alan Byrne, Barry Clancy.

Drogheda United

Injured: Stephen Maher.
Doubtful: Michéal Schlingermann, Shane Grimes.
Suspended: Gavin Brennan.