League Report: Shelbourne 3-1 Athlone Town

Shelbourne leapfrogged UCD into third place in the SSE Airtricity League First Division after goals from Sean Heaney, Philly Hughes and Dylan McGlade gave Kevin Doherty's side a 3-1 win over Athlone Town at Tolka Park on Friday.

The hosts were quick to settle into their stride on a sunny Dublin evening and McGlade set the tone for the game after 90 seconds with an effort on goal from the edge of the box that sailed just wide of Paddy Dunican’s goal.

However, Shelbourne didn’t have to wait long to break the deadlock. A dangerous free-kick from Gareth Coughlan was missed by several players before falling to Heaney, who fired home from six yards despite the best efforts of former Reds striker Philly Gorman on the goal-line.

After taking an early lead, Shels struggled to test Dunican in the Town goal, with McGlade only able to fire wide from the edge of the box after embarking on a great run from the right-wing and cutting inside his man to create the chance.

Athlone managed their first opportunity on goal moments later through a Daniel Purdy free-kick, but the former Longford Town man's effort was easily gathered by Reds 'keeper Greg Murray.

McGlade continued to cause the Midlanders problems, though. First, he intercepted possession just inside Athlone's half before racing towards goal, but he couldn’t get his shot off. Then moments later, he produced a brilliant cross from the right-wing which no Shels player gambled on, with the resulting clearance falling to James English whose shot was deflected away for a corner.

Athlone debutant Jamie O’Neill pounced on a brilliant knockdown just inside the Shels half before racing through on goal, but the midfielder will be kicking himself that he slipped as he was about to pull the trigger - his slip allowed Ryan Robinson to nip in and clear.

A poor clearance from Dunican under pressure from English fell to Philip Hughes. The 33 year old forward then lifted the ball over Aidan Collins' head before his tame shot sailed wide. Heaney then headed a Coughlan corner wide of the target from close range.

On the stroke of half-time, the two sides exchanged goalscoring opportunities: first Jake Donnelly forced a brilliant save from Dunican before Athlone's Derek Doyle headed over Murray’s crossbar from close range.

When the side’s reappeared after the break, it was the hosts who were quickest to settle, with Hughes seeing two chances go begging, including one effort which hit Dunican and rebounded off the striker's shins before striking the post and going wide. McGlade also fashioned another chance for himself, but failed to hit the target and it was after this that Alan Mathews' side equalised.

A quick free-kick was played by Stephen Dunne to Aidan Friel, who then played a one-two with Purdy before crossing to James O’Donnell - the other Athlone debutant in the side kept his composure before firing home from 12 yards to make it 1-1.

However, the comeback was short-lived as the Reds survived a barrage of corners to restore their one-goal lead. Hughes raced onto a long ball from the back and slotted home from inside the area for his sixth goal of the season.

Athlone’s challenge then got harder when goalscorer O’Donnell went from hero to villain with a high tackle on Donnelly that referee John McLaughlin deemed worthy of a straight red card.

Despite being down to ten men, Athlone had chances to equalise, with both Purdy and Gorman missing the target with headed opportunities. However, it was McGlade who capped a fine individual display by finally getting on the scoresheet as the game approached stoppage time.

Collecting a brilliant ball from Coughlan, the former Middlesbrough winger rounded Derek Doyle before curling beyond the helpless Dunican to make the game safe for Shels.

Shelbourne

Greg Murray, Adam O’Connor, Ryan Robinson, Evan Osam, Gareth Coughlan, Daire Doyle, Jake Donnelly (Craig Walsh, 74), Dylan McGlade (Alan Kehoe, 90+1), Philly Hughes, James English (Carl Walshe, 79).

Subs Not Used: David Ryan, Paul Andrews, Darragh Gannon, Aaron Robinson.

Bookings: Daire Doyle (17).

Athlone Town

Paddy Dunican, Aidan Friel, Brian Shortall (Thomas Mulroney, 71), Aidan Collins, Derek Doyle, Gavin Boyle, Stephen Dunne, Daniel Purdy, James O’Donnell, Philip Gorman, Jamie O’Neill (Robert Gaul, 67)

Subs Not Used: Conor Gleeson, Sam O’Connor, Adam Kelly, Anthony Hewitt, Daniel Molloy.

Bookings: Friel (32).

Sent off: O’Donnell (56).

Referee: John McLaughlin.

Attendance: 583.

Extratime Man Of The Match: Dylan McGlade (Shelbourne).