League Preview: Athlone Town -v- Drogheda United

Drogheda United will look to keep pace with table topping Cabinteely when they travel to the midlands to take on basement dwellers Athlone Town on Friday evening. (Kick-Off 7:45PM).

ATHLONE TOWN

Adrian Carberry’s young team can take a lot from their three games since the restart. A promising point away to Galway sandwiched between defeats to Wexford and Longford.

Individual mistakes cost them the game at Eamonn Deacy Park, but that’s to be expected of a youthful side.

Athlone native Carberry will be hopeful that his players will learn from each mistake as they look for their first win of the campaign.

It’s a rebuilding process for the Town but there’s shoots of optimism. The performances of Ronan Manning have been a standout and American loanee Taner Dogan has hit the ground running, already finding the net against the tribesmen.

Defending has been a problem for the midlanders. They’re conceding on average 2.5 goals a game in 2020 and are now without a competitive win in 13 months.

One relief for Carberry will be that he has an almost fully fit squad to choose from. Ballina native Mark Birrane the only slight doubt with a tight calf but he is expected to feature.

Three of the squad spent part of this week at trials for the Irish U-19 extended squad, which will serve to highlight the youthful nature of the team.

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogs come into this one having picked up four points from six since the resumption of the SSE Airtricity League, building continuity after a slow start in the first half of their opening game against Shamrock Rovers II.

They found themselves two goals and a man down in that one before rallying to secure a draw and Tim Clancy’s side haven’t looked back.

The momentum of the final 45 minutes carried into last week’s match against Bray Wanderers, where goals from top scorer Mark Doyle along with James Clarke and Stephen Meaney sealed a convincing win over a good seagulls side.

Speaking to Drogheda United.ie after that game, Meaney said:

“Tim brought me on the last 15 minutes to try kill the game off. I gave it out to Brando (Bermingham), he’s hit it into the box - and fair to play Brando, he’s played well - and I finished it off, thank god.

“It’s a bit bittersweet to be fair. I was obviously buzzing to get the goal, it’s actually the first one of 2020 so far, in August.

“It’s weird not having the fans here, it’s a big miss. Hopefully we can get things back to normal soon.”

Drogheda come into this week’s game with Mark Hughes still suspended following a red card in that comeback against Shamrock Rovers II.

They also have a number of injury concerns. Luke Heeney misses out through injury while Luca Gratzer, Adam Wixted and Jake Hyland are doubts and will be game day decisions.

Referee: Marc Lynch.

MATCH STATS

Athlone Town are without a win against the Boynesiders since 2014, their solitary point against this week’s opponents since then came four years ago.

Ties between these teams are quite high scoring, averaging over 3 goals per game in the last ten meetings, including a 6-0, 5-3 and a 4-2 win for Drogs.

You have to go all the way back to 2001 for the last time both sides failed to score in this fixture.

BETTING

Athlone Town 13/2; Draw 7/2; Drogheda United 3/10.

PREDICTION

Athlone Town 1-3 Drogheda United

Athlone Town

Injured: None

Doubtful: Mark Birrane

Suspended: None

Drogheda United:

Injured: Luke Heeney.

Doubtful: Luca Gratzer, Adam Wixted, Jake Hyland.

Suspended: Mark Hughes.