League Preview: Athlone Town -v- Bohemians
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ATHLONE TOWN
Athlone’s season-long dream of moving off the bottom of the league table could finally come to fruition if they can secure three points against Bohemians. The Town have fought bravely under Keith Long and are finally within touching distance of another club. Athlone are currently three points off UCD, but have a far better goal difference of -18, in comparison to UCD’s of -33.
Athlone’s cause has been helped by a recent run of four consecutive draws, including a 1-1 draw against Drogheda United in their last game. Every great escape needs a Steven McQueen to lead the way and Athlone’s seems to have come in the form of local boy Ian Sweeney. Sweeney scored a great goal to earn Athlone a hard fought draw against Shamrock Rovers, and he struck again last time out too, netting in injury time to rescue a point for the Town.
Fans of Athlone will be keeping a close eye on updates in Tallaght, where Shamrock Rovers play UCD, and at Carlisle Grounds, where Bray entertain St. Patrick’s Athletics. Bray are only six points ahead of UCD and they too have a poorer goal difference compared to the Town. With only six games left in the season, this is a now or never moment for Athlone.
In terms of injury news, Athlone manager Keith Long will nearly have a full squad to choose from. Aidan Collins has returned to training after a long absence but he will miss the upcoming match. Stephen Quigley and Graham Rusk are also out but are going to miss the rest of the season due to injuries.
BOHEMIANS
Bohemians currently sit ninth in the table, just above the other relegation battlers. A win against Athlone would finally make Bohs mathematically safe and they’d finally be able to concentrate on staying ahead of Limerick and Drogheda United, both of whom are one point ahead of them. The Gypsies are hoping the win can be a bounce back from the cup defeat to St Patrick’s Athletic.
Owen Heary was disappointed with going out of the FAI Cup by the narrowest of margins as Bohs lost 3-2 in the replay. He said, “When they had a player sent off we threw absolutely everything at them, got a goal back and we’re unfortunate not to get an equaliser.” But the Bohs boss was still proud of his players, saying “But the positive thing for me was that we didn’t go out with a whimper. We gave it everything.”
Heary and the squad have now set their sights on finishing as high up the table as possible. He said, “We don’t just want to see the season out. This will be a test of the players and ourselves, how we respond after being knocked out and, it might seem, with nothing much to play for.” He then added that the target is eighth, saying “Last year the target was to avoid relegation, this year eighth or better, next year we’ll be aiming to go higher.
Bohs will be missing a few players for this Friday’s clash. Eoin Wearen is serving the last of his suspension for his red card against Bray Wanderers. Dan Byrne is still out while Ryan McEvoy will miss the match due to a back injury. Anto Murphy has returned to training but the match will come too soon for him.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
MATCH FACTS
Athlone Town have scored in their last six matches whilst Bohs have scored in their last seven games, including two goals in six of those seven.
The earlier encounter in April between the two sides finished 3-1 to Bohemians but the later fixture ended in a 2-2 draw with Dinny Corcoran missing a late penalty.
James O’Brien has been on the score sheet in the last two games. He scored both of Athlone’s goals in the draw but scored an own goal in Bohemians 3-1 win.
BETTING
Athlone Town 2/1; Draw 11/5; Bohemians 13/10
PREDICTION
I feel that it will be close with Bohs sneaking it 2-1, unless Sweeney does it again to make it 2-2.
Athlone Town
Injured: Stephen Quigley, Aidan Collins, Graham Rusk
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Bohemians
Injured: Daniel Byrne, Anthony Murphy
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Eoin Wearen
