Kildare County 1 - 2 Athlone Town

Goals from Stephen Place and Brian Cleary were the catalyst behind Athlone Town’s narrow win in this entertaining FAI Cup encounter at Station Road, Newbridge on Saturday evening. This is the second time in 14 days that Athlone have beaten Kildare by the narrowest of margins, but they were full value for their win on this occasion, and could have been further ahead before Dave O’Riordan’s consolation header.

With all of Kildare’s recent acquisitions unable to take part due to the 14-day rule which prohibits any new signing from playing in the FAI Cup, the likes of Christy Doran, Darren O’Brien and Philly Hughes had been at the club 13 days, Kildare were forced to make a number of alterations from their heartbreaking defeat to Longford last week.

It was an early own goal from Dean Lawrence that decided the league tie between the two sides a couples of weeks back, and Athlone held an early advantage once again, this time with a well-placed header from Place following a superb delivery from the left by David Tyrrell. This sparked an early period of dominance from the visitors, with decent efforts also coming from Rushe and Place once more.

Yet, after the first 15 minutes, The Thoroughbreds started to come into the game in a big way and were desperately unlucky not to get back on level terms when striker Alan Lynch’s 30-yard free-kick cracked the top of the crossbar with 27 minutes gone. Joey Somerville’s side really could have done with a goal at this point, as it would have served as a real tonic going into the second half. On the other hand though, they could so easily have conceded again, when a powerful strike by Place, who is a brother of team manager Brendan, was turned over by County ‘keeper Kevin McDonnell.

With the score line reading 1-0 to Athlone Town at the mid-way interval, there was still everything to play for in the second half, but it was the Westmeath men who once again came out of the blocks the fastest with the excellent Robbie Benson, a massive prospect at just 17 years of age, hitting the upright from a 25-yard free-kick four minutes in. However, they didn’t have to wait long for that crucial second goal, as their lead was doubled after 52 minutes when Cleary finished off a goalmouth scramble from which centre-half Thomas McGauly and Place also had efforts on goal.

This was no more than Athlone deserved, as they were effectively camped in the Kildare half of the pitch for much of the opening 20 minutes of the second-half, and Somerville once more had to revert to playing three at the back with substitute Colin Murray, who usually plies his trade at right-back, being propelled into a forward position.

He didn’t really have much of a choice with the game slipping away, but it did nonetheless see his side finding a way back into the game and Dave O’Riordan bagged his fifth goal of the season when he met Baba Isaaka’s in-swinging cross from the left with a looping header, which proved to be beyond the reach of John McGuinness in the Athlone goal.

The former Liffey Celtic man is in fine form at the moment, this was his third goal in two games, and could form a very potent partnership with Philly Hughes if they are given time to gel. As is often the case, this goal inspired County to go looking for more scores, and they probably should have gotten back on level terms just a minute later when Gavin Kinsella was through down the right, but his effort was dealt with superbly by McGuinness, who turned it away for a corner.

From this corner, Kildare had another opportunity to score, but O’Riordan headed into the side-netting from a tight angle. The momentum was undoubtedly on the side of the Kildare men at this point, and the Station Road faithful were extremely hopeful that they could at least force the tie to a replay such was the pressure they were putting on Athlone.

Unfortunately, this was as good as it was going to get for County and Athlone settled back into the match with another free-kick by Benson just narrowly missing the target. The final quarter saw little in the way of the clear-cut chances, although there were a few nervous moments for both rearguards with a number of long balls being pumped on top of both keepers.

Kildare couldn’t be faulted for effort, and they made sure that Athlone were kept on their toes until the final whistle, but Athlone simply had too much in the tank for the First Division’s bottom side. Athlone Town will now move on to the next round as Kildare re-focus themselves for next Friday’s clash against Sporting Fingal, as they hope to get a good return from their new recruits, who will all finally get the chance to play together when they make the short trip to the Morton Stadium.

Kildare County: Kevin McDonnell, Mattie Byrne, Colin Osbourne, Dean Lawrence, Baba Isaaka, Gavin Kinsella, Craig Purcell (Colin Murray 59), Cathal Brady, Oisin Farrell, Alan Lynch (Trevor Bowers 61), Dave O’Riordan. Subs not used: Paul Rigney, John Meehan.

Athlone Town: John McGuinness, Robbie Hamm, Thomas McGauly, Des Hope, Brian Cleary, Kieran Reilly, Damien Rushe, Robbie Benson, David Tyrrell, Stephen Place, Noel McGee (Kevin Horan 80). Subs not used: Cathal Joyce, Padraig Moran, Ronan Stack, Aaron Shanahan.

Referee: Rob Rogers (Dublin).

Extratime.ie man-of-the-match: Robbie Benson (Athlone Town). Had competition from goal-scorer Place and Hamm, but Benson was the most consistent performer on show, and was a constant threat in an often congested midfield.

Attendance: 150 approx.