League Preview: Limerick -v- Athlone Town

Fast improving Limerick welcome the challenge of high-flying Athlone Town in a mouth-watering fixture in the SSE Airtricity First Division at the Market’s Field on Friday evening (kick-off 7.45pm).

LIMERICK

The Super Blues will be aiming to make it three league wins on the spin and continue their recent purple patch of form by putting a dent in Athlone Town’s promotion ambitions.

Limerick produced a gallant performance in their hard fought 2-1 win over Cabinteely at Stradbrook Park last Saturday afternoon. Limerick dominated the opening exchanges and were rewarded when Sean Russell struck after just 11 minutes to give the Shannonsiders a deserved lead.

However, Cabo clawed their way back into the match and drew level after 34 minutes when Conor Keeley notched the equaliser to the delight of the home fans. Both sides continued the search for the decisive goal and Cabinteely had a glorious opportunity to go in front when they were awarded a dubious penalty. Limerick keeper Jack Brady guessed right and got down smartly to save Rob Manley’s spot kick.

The momentum swung in Limerick’s direction and Conor Ellis grabbed the all-important winner with just over 15 minutes remaining to bring The Super Blues to within a point of the league leaders.

It was Tommy Barrett’s men’s second consecutive league win having beaten Cobh Ramblers 3-1 at the Market’s Field the previous Friday. Limerick boss Barrett was pleased with the result telling www.sseairtricityleague.ie, “It was a great win I was delighted with it. Stradbrook is a tough place to come to. But we dug in and get a good result. I knew at the start of this season that it is a tough Division.”

Limerick had failed to score in their first 3 league matches but have now netted 5 in their last 2. The Super Blues are also unbeaten in their 3 league matches at the Market’s Field so far this season.

ATHLONE TOWN

Joint league leaders Athlone Town make the difficult trip to the Mid-West in search of a win to keep their promotion aspirations burning brightly.

De Town went down to a narrow 1-0 defeat at the hands of Longford Town in the Midlands version of El Clasico at the Athlone Town Stadium last Friday night. It was tight and tense affair with neither side willing to give an inch to go in level at the break.

The second half continue in the same vain with both teams cancelling each other out and the game had all the hallmarks of a stalemate until the home fans had their hearts broke when Sam Verdon struck the only goal of the game on 69 minutes to burst De Town’s bubble.

Athlone have found wins hard to come by having just won one of their last 3 league matches against joint leaders Bray Wanderers 1-0 at the Carlisle Grounds. De Town have also found goals hard to come by having just scored a single goal in their last 3 league outings.

De Town had made a blistering start to the season with back to back wins over Wexford (4-2) at the Athlone Town Stadium and Cobh Ramblers (1-0) at St. Colman’s Park. Despite the recent dip in form they are still very much in the hunt for promotion.

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan

MATCH FACTS

Limerick and Athlone Town last met each other competitively in the 2016 season in the SSE Airtricity First Division with The Super Blues winning all three league matches 3-0, 2-0 and 1-0 in the final game.

The Super Blues and De Town have met each other on 28 occasions in all competitions since 2007 with Limerick having the much better head to head record with 21 wins to Athlone Town’s 2 and 5 draws.

Limerick have scored 57 goals in their 28 matches averaging just over 2 goals per game while Athlone Town scored 20 goals in their 28 matches averaging 0.71 goals per game.

Limerick are currently in 4^th place in the SSE Airtricity First Division on 8 points with 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat.

Athlone Town are currently in 3^rd place in the SSE Airtricity First Division on 9 points with 3 wins and 2 defeats.

BETTING

Limerick 11/10 Draw 11/5 Athlone Town 2/1

PREDICTION

Limerick 2-0 Athlone Town

Limerick

Injured: NA

Doubtful: NA

Suspended: NA

Athlone Town

Injured: NA

Doubtful: NA

Suspended: NA