Longford Town 2 - 1 Athlone Town
Credit:
It was third time lucky for Longford Town as they dumped their local rivals Athlone Town out of the EA Sports Cup.
In the past two seasons it was Athlone who ended Longford’s interest in this competition but Longford made sure it wouldn’t be three in a row. The home side bossed possession in the opening half but failed to convert the many chances that fell their way.
Graham Dowling had their first real chance in the 16th minute. Craig Walsh's free-kick from the right was met by the head of Dowling but his effort came off the crossbar. Two minutes later and Dowling turned provider. The right-full broke down the wing and put in a low cross and Aidan Roche brought a fine save out of Schlingermann. Defender Paddy Collins was next to try his luck but the big defender brought a save out of his former team-mate in the Athlone Town goals.
It was only a matter of time before Longford’s pressure would pay off and they finally broke the deadlock in the 31st minute. Don Cowan was up-ended about 20 yards out and up stepped Craig Walsh who he curled a beautiful strike past the Athlone netminder.
In the opening half Athlone were poor and offered very little going forward; the Town defence had nothing to do. As half-time approached the Athlone goal led a charmed life as Longford continued to press but were unlucky on a few occasions not to double their advantage.
Their second goal eventually came 13 minutes after the restart. Mike Lee played a neat ball into Don Cowan and he found the back of the net with an excellent strike; his second goal in two goals.
Totally against the run of play Athlone pulled a goal back in the 78th minute. Kevin Williamson’s corner from the right met the head of Alan Coffey and the normally reliable Alvin Rouse let the ball spill through his hands and into the net.
Longford Town: Alvin Rouse; Graham Dowling, Paddy Collins, Chris Deans, Mike Lee; Cathal Brady, Thomas Hyland, Mark Salmon, Craig Walsh; Aidan Roche, Don Cowan.
Subs used: Jason Oladele for Roche 69mins, Gary Cronin for Salmon 75mins
Athlone Town: Michael Schlingermann; Joe Woods, Jamie Carr, Tommy Barrett, Paul Danaher; Stephen Relihan, Kevin Williamson, Niall Scullion, Brian Gill; Robbie Murphy, Colm Smith.
Subs used: Alan Coffey for Gill and Roy King for Smith mins, Ronan Stack for Woods 83mins.
Referee: Darren Coombes (Dublin)
In the past two seasons it was Athlone who ended Longford’s interest in this competition but Longford made sure it wouldn’t be three in a row. The home side bossed possession in the opening half but failed to convert the many chances that fell their way.
Graham Dowling had their first real chance in the 16th minute. Craig Walsh's free-kick from the right was met by the head of Dowling but his effort came off the crossbar. Two minutes later and Dowling turned provider. The right-full broke down the wing and put in a low cross and Aidan Roche brought a fine save out of Schlingermann. Defender Paddy Collins was next to try his luck but the big defender brought a save out of his former team-mate in the Athlone Town goals.
It was only a matter of time before Longford’s pressure would pay off and they finally broke the deadlock in the 31st minute. Don Cowan was up-ended about 20 yards out and up stepped Craig Walsh who he curled a beautiful strike past the Athlone netminder.
In the opening half Athlone were poor and offered very little going forward; the Town defence had nothing to do. As half-time approached the Athlone goal led a charmed life as Longford continued to press but were unlucky on a few occasions not to double their advantage.
Their second goal eventually came 13 minutes after the restart. Mike Lee played a neat ball into Don Cowan and he found the back of the net with an excellent strike; his second goal in two goals.
Totally against the run of play Athlone pulled a goal back in the 78th minute. Kevin Williamson’s corner from the right met the head of Alan Coffey and the normally reliable Alvin Rouse let the ball spill through his hands and into the net.
Longford Town: Alvin Rouse; Graham Dowling, Paddy Collins, Chris Deans, Mike Lee; Cathal Brady, Thomas Hyland, Mark Salmon, Craig Walsh; Aidan Roche, Don Cowan.
Subs used: Jason Oladele for Roche 69mins, Gary Cronin for Salmon 75mins
Athlone Town: Michael Schlingermann; Joe Woods, Jamie Carr, Tommy Barrett, Paul Danaher; Stephen Relihan, Kevin Williamson, Niall Scullion, Brian Gill; Robbie Murphy, Colm Smith.
Subs used: Alan Coffey for Gill and Roy King for Smith mins, Ronan Stack for Woods 83mins.
Referee: Darren Coombes (Dublin)
