League Report: Athlone Town 3 - 4 Waterford United

Waterford United ended a twelve game winless streak as they got the better of Athlone Town in a seven goal thriller in the midlands. 

The game burst into life as early as the sixth minute when twins, Corey and Evan Galvin combined to play in Daniel Pender who did not give a sleeping Athone defence an inch as he took the ball off the toe of Conor Dunne to set up Aaron O'Connor for the opening goal. O'Connor took a touch at the edge of penalty area and lobbed Town keeper Patrick Dunican to stun the home fans as he scored for the second week running.

The game drifted further away from Athlone in the 20th minute as a quickly taken corner kick was worked on the right hand side leaving Anthony McAlavey to deliver a fine cross which fell to Blues number nine Daniel Pender who hit the back of the net from six yards out to put the visitors 2-0 up.

Athlone tried to find a quick way back into game and almost replied straight away, as two minutes after Pender's strike, a long high ball was launched into the visitor's box and Jamie O'Neill cracked the knock down off the crossbar. Athlone came close again in the 26th minute as a Purdy free-kick was whipped in and was narrowly off target and wide of Matt Connor's left post.

In the 32nd minute Corey Galvin, who's twin Evan had curled an effort just wide of the Athlone goal minutes earlier following a sweeping move, twisted his way into the Athlone penalty area and under pressure from Thomas Mulroney he hit the deck but referee Adriano Reale did not point towards the spot.  Instead he reached to his pocket and produced a card for Galvin with the tricky Waterford man's protests falling on deaf ears. On another day a penalty may have been awarded.

On 36 minutes, Evan Galvin threatened the Athlone goal when his low strike from the edge of the area whizzed past the upright and away to safety but it was Athlone who would have the clearest of chances to hit the back of the net in the remaining minutes of the first half.  Blues captain Ethan Boyle conceded a free-kick on 40 minutes which Daniel Purdy delivered perfectly into the box and onto the head of Philly Gorman who glanced his header off Matt Connor's crossbar and over the top.

The Munster side started the second half strongly and had a number of chances to extend their lead, the best of which fell to striker Daniel Pender who fired his effort well over the Athlone crossbar from close range. On the hour mark Pender did manage to rattle the net for his second goal of the night.  Evan Galvin, who was a standout player on the night, stroked a superb pass through the Athlone defence to put his brother Corey through on goal. Patrick Dunican raced off of his line to the edge of the box to deny Galvin but his save ended up at the feet of Pender who converted a tidy finish over the head of a retreating defender and into an empty net to put the Blues 3-0 to the good.

If Waterford thought they were going to cruise to 3 points they had to think again when two minutes later Jamie O'Neill was hauled down in the box to win Athlone a penalty and a chance to hit straight back. The usually lethal Gorman stepped up and struck his penalty well but Matt Connor dived to his right and kept the kick out with a strong left hand.

Just a minute later O'Neill was through on goal again and rounded keeper Matt Connor but his swivelled shot was calmly cleared on the line by Colum Nugent.  Seconds later Athlone finally got on the scoresheet and did so in style too. Daniel Purdy struck a thunderous free-kick from 35 yards out into the top corner of Matt Connor's net who was helpless to keep the ball out.

Athlone now had the upper hand and continued to press without causing the Blues too many problems. Evan Galvin tried to extend Waterford's lead with a darting run on the right hand side, having stolen the ball from James O'Donnell but he dragged his shot passed the far post and away from danger.

On 77 minutes the game started to take a twist.  Athlone worked the ball into the Waterford area through Aidan Friel from the right hand side and his central ball was met by Gorman who held off a challenge from Colum Nugent. The ball broke to Purdy who rifled the ball low and hard into the Blues net. Thirty seconds later the home fans exploded. James O'Donnell was felled on the left wing. O'Neill dipped the delivery into the box. Matt Connor could not prevent the ball from slipping through his hands into the path of Gorman who hammered home the leveller.

Athlone, who had lost at home to Cabinteely the weekend before appeared to have pulled this one out of the fire but there was to be one twist to this game. With five minutes left on the clock Aaron O'Connor broke with the ball from the halfway line for Waterford and delivered a pass to the feet of Evan Galvin who cut past two defenders to his left and fed the ball wide to McAlavey. McAlavey who impressed throughout, swung in a cross which was controlled by Pender at the near post who slammed home passed Dunican to bag himself a hat-trick and give a much improved Waterford side the points.  The travelling Blues fans who had been in full voice for the entire game enjoyed the final whistle and their trip back to the south coast was one to remember following an extraordinary game of football.

Athlone may feel that they deserved at least a point on the night but Waterford have worked hard for this victory. They have played some fantastic football under Roddy Collins since the charismatic Dubliner arrived at the RSC. There is a feeling that something special could be in the works and Roddy might just work his magic again with this youthful and talented Waterford United team. 

Athlone Town: Patrick Dunican, Aidan Friel, Stephen Dunne, Conor Dunne (Ian Fletcher 40), Aidan Collins (C), Thomas Mulroney (Cian O’Sullivan 87), Gavin Boyne, James O’Donnell, Philip Gorman, Daniel Purdy, Jamie O’Neill.

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

Yellow Cards: Mulroney (35).

Waterford United: Matthew Connor, Dean Reidy, Shaun Corcoran, Colum Nugent, Shane Mackey, Ethan Boyle, Cory Galvin, Evan Galvin, Daniel Pender, Anthony McAlavey, Aaron O’Connor (Shane Dineen 89).

Subs Not Used: Sean Duffy, Robbie Buckley, Robert Birdsall, Brian Nolan, Mark Walsh.

Yellow Cards: O’Connor (17), C. Galvin (33), E. Galvin (76).

Referee: Adriano Reale.

Attendance: 300 (estimate).

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Daniel Purdy (Athlone Town).