League Report: Athlone Town 1 - 3 Shelbourne

Shelbourne picked up their second league win of the season thanks to goals from Gavin Boyne and two from substitute James English to record a 3-1 victory over Athlone Town in Lissywollen.

Both sides knew heading into the game that the three points would be vital. Athlone needed them to move off the bottom of the table, while Shels were aiming to start their promotion push. However, they were well aware that a defeat to Alan Matthews’ side could condemn them to the foot of the table.

The Dubliners took control of the game from the beginning of proceedings and were quite dominant throughout the first half with Gareth Coughlan and Dáire Doyle comfortably dictating play from the centre of the pitch.

It took Kevin Doherty’s side 42 minutes to break down the stubborn Athlone defence though through dynamic attacker Gavin Boyne who finished neatly Town ‘keeper Evan Moran, as Shels went into the break ahead.

The home side were better in the opening period of the second half and the highly influential David Cassidy was key to their play. Surprisingly, though, it wasn’t the mercurial former Dundalk and Bray Wanderers midfielder Cassidy who forced home an equaliser on the stroke of the hour.

Defender Simon Dixon, up from the back got Athlone back on level terms and it was hard to say what way the game would go from that point, with both sides needing the three points.

However, Doherty’s masterstroke proved decisive as he introduced forward James English to try and force the issue. Indeed, the decision reaped instant dividends as English scored twice in the last 20 minutes to secure the vital three points. His second major coming from the penalty spot.

Athlone Town: Evan Moran, Ian Fletcher, Kevin Farragher (Conor Dunne 87), Simon Dixon, Jack Tuite, Val Feeney, Marco Chindea, David Cassidy, Daniel Purdy, Alan O'Sullivan, Emeka Onwubiko (Conor Barry 75).

Subs not used: Adam Kelly, Calvin Douglas, Sean Nolan, Cian o'Sullivan, Ross Purdy.

Booked: None.

Shelbourne: Greg Murray, Robert Duggan, Alan Kehoe, Conor Keeley, Adam O'Connor, Lorcan Shannon, Daire Doyle, Gavin Boyne (James English 75), Cian Kavanagh (Dylan Grimes 89), Gareth Coughlan (Dylan Kavanagh 77), Carl Walshe.

Subs not used: Sodiq Oguntola, Mark Sandford, Bobby O'Reilly, Jack Brady.

Booked: Gavin Boyne (40), Cian Kavanagh (47), Daire Doyle (65).

Referee: Michael O'Connor.

Attendance: 150 (estimate).

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Dáire Doyle (Shelbourne).