League Preview: Drogheda United -v- Athlone Town

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda United have made a good start to life back in the First Division. They added to the three points that they won on opening night against Waterford United, by earning point in a hard fought 1-1 draw in Cobh last Saturday evening.

Séan Thornton opened the scoring for the Drogs from the penalty spot in the opening half before Shane O’Connor equalised for the hosts with 20 minutes to play.

Liam Donnelly was given a straight red card prior to the Cobh equaliser and he will be unavailable to Pete Mahon on Friday night as he is serving a one match ban.

However, Mahon has been delighted with his sides performance for the first hour of the game. Ahead of Friday’s game the Drogheda manager said: “I expect tomorrow night’s game to have some bite with three or four of our players playing against their former team and Alan Mathews returning to face his former club.

“It’s going to be a difficult game as I’m sure Athlone will be champing at the bit having not played for a fortnight but every game in this league is a challenge and we need to make sure we are up for it.”

When the clubs last met in the 2015 Premier Division it was honours even with Drogheda winning 3-2 at home before losing 6-0 in Athlone Town Stadium which was Athlone Town’s biggest winning margin for a number of seasons.  The final game in Series 3 ended in a 1-1 draw.

ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone Town have only played one game so far due to impact of the infamous floodlight failure at the Athlone Town Stadium last weekend. That meant that their game with Shelbourne was abandoned and it will have to be replayed in early April.

Town head to Drogheda in search of their maiden three points of the campaign following their single goal defeat to Cabinteely in Stradbrook two weeks ago, while they also lost to Wexford Youths in the Leinster Senior Cup.

Alan Mathews has a potential early season crisis on his hands with several key absentees. Simon Dixon will remain side lined for at least another couple of weeks due to the effect of a quad wound he sustained.

Mathews may also have to plan without Val Feeney, Cian O’Sullivan, Conor Dunne and midfielder Conor Barry who are troubled by knocks and are rated doubtful for the game.

Barry though is the most likely to feature out of the foursome, with the Athlone management hoping that his hamstring trouble, which has seen him miss the beginning of the season, heals in time for Friday’s crucial encounter.

Referee: Robert Heenessey

MATCH STATS

Drogheda United are one of only three teams that remain unbeaten this season having opened their account with a win over Waterford United before drawing with Cobh Ramblers.
 

When the teams meet it could be a case of friends reunited with three members of the Athlone Town 2015 panel Patrick Dunican, Sam O’Connor and Derek Doyle likely to start for Drogheda while Athlones David Cassidy and James Daly have both lined out for Drogheda. Alan Mathews also managed Drogheda for a short period in 2009.
 

The clubs have met on 19 occasions since 1995 with Athlone Town winning six, Drogheda United winning seven with the other six ending in draws.  In those six draws only two were scoreless. 
 
 

MATCH BETTING

Drogheda United 5/6; Draw 23/10; Athlone Town 3/1

PREDICTION

Drogheda United 2-1 Athlone Town

Drogheda United

Injuries: Sam O’Connor

Doubtful: Marc Griffin

Suspended: Liam Donnelly

Athlone Town

Injuries: Simon Dixon

Doubtful: Val Feeney, Cian O’Sullivan, Conor Dunne, Conor Barry

Suspension: None