Athlone Town vs Dundalk
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Leaders Dundalk will be aiming to bounce back from their first defeat in eight games when they travel to the midlands to face Athlone Town at Lissywoollen this Friday evening (kick-off 7.45pm) in another crucial eircom League of Ireland First Division fixture. The Lilywhites put in a tame effort last weekend when they went down 2-0 to Limerick 37 on Shannonside. However, if results go their way this Friday, they could once again open up a five-point lead at the summit having seen their advantage cut to just two last week.
With title rivals Shelbourne and Waterford United simultaneously meeting at Tolka Park, combined wins for Shels and Dundalk would see the Louth club regain a comfortable cushion at the top. However, that clash in Dublin aside, the Lilywhites will first have to look after their own performance following such a disappointing display in Limerick. An impressive eight-match unbeaten run was brought to a shuddering halt, however, the result was not a total shock as the Blues have recently established themselves as a bogey team for Dundalk having now won four out of the last five meetings between the sides.
Along with Wexford Youths and Kildare County, Athlone are the only team that Dundalk still hold a 100% record against this term, although their last victory over the midlanders came in controversial circumstances, at Oriel Park back in July. With the game looking destined for a scoreless draw, the home side were awarded a dubious spot-kick in the final minute of normal time - one which Trevor Vaughan converted - before Athlone were denied what appeared a certain penalty in the fourth minute of injury-time. That win led to the Lilywhites’ aforementioned eight-match unbeaten run, and boss John Gill will be hopeful that a win this weekend would kick-off a similar sequence.
Match Fact: Athlone Town have not beaten Dundalk since June 2006. In fact, in their last nine meetings in all competitions, the Lilywhites have won ALL nine! On an aggregate score of 25-3!
Dundalk Team News: John Gill has no suspensions to deal with, however, injuries will once again limit the manager’s options. Striking trio Tiarnán Mulvenna (calf), Robbie Martin and Robbie Farrell (both knee) are all ruled out once more, as is centre-half Aidan Lynch (calf). On the plus side, captain John Flanagan, who retired at half-time in Limerick due to sickness, will return. Left-winger Derek Doyle should also come back into the reckoning having missed out last week because of a viral infection.
