Longford Town -v- Athlone Town

LONGFORD TOWN

Longford opened up their 2012 league campaign with a hard fought 1-0 win away to Mervue United last Friday night. Scoring goals has been Longford’s achilles heel during a pre-season programme in which they took on a series of Premier Division opponents. But Gary Shaw’s 73rd minute goal was enough to secure the win at Fahy’s Field.

Longford have made some impressive signings over the winter break with Shaw joining from Bray Wanderers along with Colm James and Karl Bermingham who signed from Shelbourne. Tony Cousins also secured the signature of goalkeeper Craig Hyland from Shamrock Rovers and Town legend Alan Kirby from Sligo Rovers.

Noel Haverty and Jamie Duffy are other new faces at Flancare Park at the start of a season in which expectations among the home fans are higher than they have been for some years. A home win over their arch rivals will be seen as crucial to maintaining the positive atmosphere around the Strokestown Road venue.

ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone boss Mike Kerley may have up to four of his player out through injury for the first midlands derby of the new season. Damien Rushe and Stephen Relihan are definitely out, while Mark Sherlock picked a hamstring injury in the game against SD Galway last Friday night and may not make it for Saturday’s game. Robbie Kelleher is also doubtful.

Better news for Kerley is that central defender Paul Danaher returns to the squad having missed the win over SD Galway through suspension.

“Longford is a big game for us”, Kerley acknowledged. “They brought in a lot of players this year, they’ve spent a lot of money in trying to push for promotion but I think we have a decent enough squad and if we had two or three more players we’d be there or thereabouts. So we’ve nothing to fear. Every time we went up there last year we played well and I think our results there were won one, drew one, lost one. So we’re fairly close to Longford”.

Referee: Alan Sherlock.

MATCH STATS

Honours were shared in the three league meetings between these teams last season. Longford won the first fixture 2-0 at Flancare Park before the sides drew 1-1 at Lisseywoollen. In the final game, again at Flancare, Athlone won 2-0.

Should either side win this game they would overtake current leaders Wexford Youths and top the First Division table for week two.

PREDICTION

Longford might have too much for Athlone this time around; Home win, 2-0.

Longford Injury News: Unavailable.

Longford Suspension News: None.

Athlone Injury News: Damien Rushe; Stephen Relihan; Mark Sherlock (doubt); Robbie Kelleher (doubt).

Athlone Suspension News: None.