League Preview: Longford Town -v- Athlone Town

LONGFORD TOWN 

Basement side Longford Town welcome midlands rivals Athlone Town to Bishopsgate on Saturday night (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

Longford are bottom of the table but can move ahead of ninth-placed Kerry with a draw or win after the Kingdom fell to a 2-1 loss away to Cobh Ramblers on Friday night.

But in order to win, they must defeat neighbours Athlone for the first time in nine league outings. They did, however, beat them in the Leinster Senior Cup earlier this year.

Wayne Groves’ side come into the game off the back of a 3-1 loss away to Treaty United last weekend.

Lee Devitt, Adam O’Halloran and David Tarmey all scored for the Shannonsiders, while Drogheda United loanee Emre Topcu scored for Longford.

ATHLONE TOWN 

Athlone Town fell to a shock defeat last weekend as strugglers Cobh Ramblers stalled their momentum with a 2-1 win.

The Co Westmeath side are likely safe in terms of securing a top-five finish but they will have to improve if they are to return to the Premier Division in the coming weeks.

Dean Ebbe gave Athlone a first half lead when he scored a 20th-minute penalty but Cobh responded with a spot-kick of their own which Jason Abbott converted.

Ramblers were reduced to ten early in the second half when Charlie O’Brien was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

But that mattered little as Brendan Frahill put Gary Hunt’s side ahead with 16 minutes of normal time remaining.

Athlone defender Dylan Hand was then sent off for the hosts late on to ensure a night to forget at Lissywollen. He will be suspended for Saturday’s derby against Longford.

Referee: Declan Toland.

PREDICTION

Longford Town 2-1 Athlone Town

Longford Town

Injured: Dean George.

Doubtful:N/A.

Suspended:None.

Athlone Town

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful:N/A.

Suspended:Dylan Hand.