Preview: Athlone Town vs Monaghan United

Bottom-of-the-table Athlone Town will be looking to secure their very first home win of the season this Saturday night, when they entertain a team still searching for maiden away victory of the campaign, Monaghan United, in the eircom League of Ireland First Division at Lissywoollen (kick-off 7.30pm).

The pair are separated by just four points in the standings, however, while Monaghan can jump three places to fifth with a win, Athlone will need to come out on top by three clear goals if they are to improve their league position. Both clubs have had a difficult campaign to date with promotion already well out of reach.

Indeed, Athlone’s last, and only, win of the year to date came the last time these two sides met back in early April, as Colm Jinks and Ian Rossiter scored in a 2-1 triumph. They have, however, improved in recent weeks, with a solid 1-1 draw in Waterford being followed up with an impressive home performance against leaders Shelbourne last weekend, where the midlanders were unlucky to lose 1-0.

Monaghan too have steadied the ship lately. However, their away form would suggest that Athlone could well leave Kildare County as table proppers by the end of the night. Mick Cooke’s men have lost seven of their last eight away games, conceding 24 goals and scoring only three in the process. However, the manager feels that things are slowly, but surely, turning around. “I think our form has changed and we have had some good draws in the last few games and hopefully we can build on that,” Cooke said.

In their last 22 outings, Monaghan have won just four times, while their last away win came back in September, when they defeated Wexford Youths 3-2 in Ferrycarrig. Athlone, for their part, are even poorer. They have won just three of their last 22 matches, while they are winless at Lissywoollen since beating Limerick 3-2 last October. Still, though, a comfortable home victory here would come as no surprise.

Team News: Hosts Athlone will be without defensive duo, Jim Sheridan and Robbie Hamm, who both sit out through suspension as a result of accumulating four penalty points. On the plus side, however, for the first time this season, manager Dermot Lennon has no injury worries. Monaghan, on the other hand, will be without defender Ian Malone, who is struggling with an ankle injury, while centre-half Aaron Mooney also misses out, as he must now serve a one-match ban.