League Report: Peamount United 2 - 1 Athlone Town

Peamount United rallied in the humidity at PRL Park to shade a 2-1 victory over league leaders Athlone Town in what was a Saturday sundown at Greenogue.

Following a dominant win over DLR Waves, Shelbourne retained their position as league leaders as The Town acceded to their first defeat since March.

Under the sweltering heat of a blazing July sun, former title holders Peamount United showed their Championship pedigree, muscling their way back into a game that for 77 minutes they trailed 1-0.

The visitors created the greater chances in the opening 45’ - Madie Gibson muscling past The Peas right back on an unforgiving loop and swinging the ball into the box with a finesse that any LPGA golfer must envy.

A competitive battle developed on the right channel between Rebecca Watkins and Shauna Brennan as The Peas looked to replicate The Town’s attacking prowess.

Watkins exuded quality for James O’Callaghan’s side as she rolled her boot over the ball as if on a leisurely Saturday evening stroll down the right flank, while Michelle Doonan roved on her debut, delivering several punts into the box that Kerryanne Brown had covered.

Athlone could have netted a handful in the first half.

Niamh Reid-Burke would save two Gibson bullets in quick succession - the first strike causing a crack like gunfire to ring out as her left boot connected with the ball.

Roisin Molloy would do well to get her head on the end of another Gibson whip in the 20th but was unable to guide the ball on target.

Peas skipper Karen Duggan was assigned the fatiguing task of marking Northern Ireland  international talent Casey Howe who buzzed incessantly at the backs of The Peas defence.

The pacy 21-year-old would beat the defenders to their near post on the half-hour mark - the awkward angle from which she unleashed her strike proving too obtuse for the forward to keep the ball low and it would sail harmlessly over Burkes's crossbar.

Only Max Verstappen could have beaten Gibson for speed as she glided up the left channel and delivered a high-looping whip in the 39th.

Aware that Molloy was charging towards the back post, Dearbháile Beirne would react on instinct to clear.

As the ball left her boot Beirne realised her error but it was too late and the net balooned.

Both teams raced out the blocks for the second half.

Howe blazed in Persil white as The Town looked to break on the counter while Under 19 Ireland internationals Ellen Dolan, Freya Healy and Jessica Fitzgerald puffed with quick feet to work the home side back into the contest.

Aoife Brophy would look to neutralise the threat of Gibson with her upper body - The Pea's new signing shouldering the winger off the ball much to the protestations of Athlone Town's traveling contingent.

The number 33 was beaten for pace in the 72nd and was forced to concede a cynical foul - Lucas Keating flashing Brophy the yellow when the spirited defender brought Gibson down with a not-so-subtle tug of her shirt.

Moloney and Howe would collide up top - the number 5 swinging her leg in exasperation in an attempt to communicate to the official that the markswoman had fouled her.

Seconds later, as Singleton single-mindedly snaked beyond the green shirts, Howe would hit the deck and Moloney was booked.

In the final 15 minutes, as slats of sun crossed the pitch, Kerri Letmon, Dolan and Fitzgerald began to command more time on the ball and carve out space for Peamount on both wings.

The Peas would equalise in the 78th when Brennan failed to clear a sweeping cross from Fitzgerald, allowing Watkins to pop off a strike on goal.

Watkins effort would hit the post but fall perfectly for super sub Letmon who would make no mistake from close range and slot the ball beyond Katie Keane.

Athlone would introduce new signing Brenda Tabe but The Pea's backline would clock an impressive shift to ensure that inviting balls from both Gibson and Howe were kept at a safe distance from their goalminder.

It is perhaps fitting therefore that Duggan, who was at the heart of that defensive effort, would keep a cool head in what was a frenetic scramble inside the box to sink the winner for Peamount in the 86th.