Athlone Town 2 - 5 Longford Town
Credit:
A brace apiece from Derek Glynn and Darren McKenna handed Longford Town their second consecutive victory and only their second win on the road this season as they moved up to tenth in the First Division.
The front pair gave the shaky Athlone Town defence a torrid time throughout this game and duly deserved their goals; all four coming at crucial times in the game.
Last season McKenna scored 12 goals for Longford so fans were well aware of his goalscoring ability. After a spell at Monaghan Utd earlier this season the Kildare man re-joined the club last week and has quickly made a real difference.
In his first game back against Mervue United, he was a threat all night and was unlucky not to score but against Athlone he wasn’t going to be denied and finally found the target; opening and finishing the scoring for the Town.
Glynn is finally hitting form too for the club and is showing what he is capable of with three goals netted in two games to bring his tally to seven so far. In the end the victors scored five; they could’ve scored more, but they also could’ve conceded more, such was this enjoyable game.
The home side started lively and enjoyed most of the possession in the opening quarter of the game. They had a great chance to open the scoring in the 13th minute; John Mernagh got onto the end of new signing Mark Salmon’s pass, his cross from the right met the head of David Tyrell at the back post, but his effort was superbly tipped over by Town 'keeper Danny O’Leary.
The game turned a bit flat but was brought to life in the 24th minute when the away side broke the deadlock; Athlone defender Brian Cleary played a back pass to his keeper Alex O’Reilly but the netminder was put under pressure by McKenna who charged down his clearance and the ball trickled into the open goal.
Three minutes later Longford doubled their lead. A free-kick from Michael Foley was deflected out for a corner by O’Reilly. From the resulting kick taken by Foley, Adrian Murphy’s flick-on was headed home by Ray Kenny.
Longford Town were now dominating proceedings and the home side created nothing in the way of chances to try and get back into the game. In the 33rd minute Longford had a chance to extend their lead further when Murphy was brought down in the box by Athlone defender Des Hope. Referee Padraig Sutton had no option but to point to the spot. Defender Stephen Gough stepped forward to take the spot-kick but he hit the post with O'Reilly beaten.
McKenna had an effort to grab his second of the night and his side’s third just before the break but his attempted lob of O’Reilly went over the crossbar. Then, just on the stroke of half-time, Gareth Cronin's side got goal number three; Foley was involved yet again, as he played in Glynn who rounded O’Reilly and coolly slotted home.
With a 3-0 lead to take into the second half, it looked like Longford would sit back and soak up the pressure after the break. But, just like the first half, the home side started brightly and within five minutes of the restart had pulled a goal back; ex-Drogheda United striker Salmon making no mistake from just inside the box.
Three minutes later Athlone had cut the deficit to just one; Gough brought down substitute Austin Skelly in the box and a penalty was awarded. The striker dusted himself down and made no mistake with the spot-kick. It was now game on.
Athlone had the bit between their teeth and went in search of an equaliser. They started to play with more confidence, but credit to Longford they never panicked and against the run of play they scored a decisive goal. Gary Curran, who came on a substitute early in the half, found Glynn with a beautiful pass and he made no mistake, claiming his second goal of the evening and the visitor's fourth.
The scoring wasn't over yet, though, as McKenna added a fifth two minutes later. But Athlone didn’t give up and in the final 10 minutes of the game started exerting some pressure and created a few chances.
In the 86th minute Skelly’s attempt from close range was cleared off the line by Town defender Ray Kenny and two minutes from time Noel McGee’s goal was disallowed for offside.
Athlone Town: Alex O’Reilly, Robbie Hamm, Brian Cleary, Kevin Dunne, Des Hope, Damien Rushe, John Mernagh, Gary Murphy (Austin Skelly, 46), Stephen Place (Noel McGee, 46), Mark Salmon, David Tyrell (Kevin Williamson, 65).
Unused subs: Luke Hardy John McGuinness.
Longford Town: Danny O’Leary, Tom King, Brian McCarthy, Stephen Gough, Ray Kenny, Colm Jinks (Gary Curran, 51), Carmine Russo, Michael Foley (Neil McKenna, 51), Adrian Murphy, Derek Glynn, Darren McKenna (Liam Lynch, 86).
Unused subs: Michael Lee, Philip Coffey.
Referee: Padraig Sutton (Clare)
Extratime Man of the Match: Darren McKenna (Longford Town) - Worked tirelessly and deserved his 2 goals.
Attendance: 300.
The front pair gave the shaky Athlone Town defence a torrid time throughout this game and duly deserved their goals; all four coming at crucial times in the game.
Last season McKenna scored 12 goals for Longford so fans were well aware of his goalscoring ability. After a spell at Monaghan Utd earlier this season the Kildare man re-joined the club last week and has quickly made a real difference.
In his first game back against Mervue United, he was a threat all night and was unlucky not to score but against Athlone he wasn’t going to be denied and finally found the target; opening and finishing the scoring for the Town.
Glynn is finally hitting form too for the club and is showing what he is capable of with three goals netted in two games to bring his tally to seven so far. In the end the victors scored five; they could’ve scored more, but they also could’ve conceded more, such was this enjoyable game.
The home side started lively and enjoyed most of the possession in the opening quarter of the game. They had a great chance to open the scoring in the 13th minute; John Mernagh got onto the end of new signing Mark Salmon’s pass, his cross from the right met the head of David Tyrell at the back post, but his effort was superbly tipped over by Town 'keeper Danny O’Leary.
The game turned a bit flat but was brought to life in the 24th minute when the away side broke the deadlock; Athlone defender Brian Cleary played a back pass to his keeper Alex O’Reilly but the netminder was put under pressure by McKenna who charged down his clearance and the ball trickled into the open goal.
Three minutes later Longford doubled their lead. A free-kick from Michael Foley was deflected out for a corner by O’Reilly. From the resulting kick taken by Foley, Adrian Murphy’s flick-on was headed home by Ray Kenny.
Longford Town were now dominating proceedings and the home side created nothing in the way of chances to try and get back into the game. In the 33rd minute Longford had a chance to extend their lead further when Murphy was brought down in the box by Athlone defender Des Hope. Referee Padraig Sutton had no option but to point to the spot. Defender Stephen Gough stepped forward to take the spot-kick but he hit the post with O'Reilly beaten.
McKenna had an effort to grab his second of the night and his side’s third just before the break but his attempted lob of O’Reilly went over the crossbar. Then, just on the stroke of half-time, Gareth Cronin's side got goal number three; Foley was involved yet again, as he played in Glynn who rounded O’Reilly and coolly slotted home.
With a 3-0 lead to take into the second half, it looked like Longford would sit back and soak up the pressure after the break. But, just like the first half, the home side started brightly and within five minutes of the restart had pulled a goal back; ex-Drogheda United striker Salmon making no mistake from just inside the box.
Three minutes later Athlone had cut the deficit to just one; Gough brought down substitute Austin Skelly in the box and a penalty was awarded. The striker dusted himself down and made no mistake with the spot-kick. It was now game on.
Athlone had the bit between their teeth and went in search of an equaliser. They started to play with more confidence, but credit to Longford they never panicked and against the run of play they scored a decisive goal. Gary Curran, who came on a substitute early in the half, found Glynn with a beautiful pass and he made no mistake, claiming his second goal of the evening and the visitor's fourth.
The scoring wasn't over yet, though, as McKenna added a fifth two minutes later. But Athlone didn’t give up and in the final 10 minutes of the game started exerting some pressure and created a few chances.
In the 86th minute Skelly’s attempt from close range was cleared off the line by Town defender Ray Kenny and two minutes from time Noel McGee’s goal was disallowed for offside.
Athlone Town: Alex O’Reilly, Robbie Hamm, Brian Cleary, Kevin Dunne, Des Hope, Damien Rushe, John Mernagh, Gary Murphy (Austin Skelly, 46), Stephen Place (Noel McGee, 46), Mark Salmon, David Tyrell (Kevin Williamson, 65).
Unused subs: Luke Hardy John McGuinness.
Longford Town: Danny O’Leary, Tom King, Brian McCarthy, Stephen Gough, Ray Kenny, Colm Jinks (Gary Curran, 51), Carmine Russo, Michael Foley (Neil McKenna, 51), Adrian Murphy, Derek Glynn, Darren McKenna (Liam Lynch, 86).
Unused subs: Michael Lee, Philip Coffey.
Referee: Padraig Sutton (Clare)
Extratime Man of the Match: Darren McKenna (Longford Town) - Worked tirelessly and deserved his 2 goals.
Attendance: 300.
