Longford Town 1 - 1 Athlone Town
Credit:
It was honours even in Flancare Park tonight as midlands rivals Longford Town and Athlone Town played out an entertaining draw.
Both sides came into the game on the back of good results. Longford Town got their first win since August against Wexford Youths on Tuesday night last while the night before Athlone picked up a point against league leaders Dundalk. This game was new Longford boss Vinny Perth’s first home game in charge and after their great win during the week his side certainly looked buoyed up and took the game to the opposition straight from the start.
Just one minute had gone on the clock when the home side had the first opportunity on goal; Darren McKenna got in a good position to take a shot which came off the crossbar and was deflected out for a corner. Three minutes later and McKenna again had another chance on goal. This time the big striker breezed past a couple of Athlone defenders and baring down on goal ‘keeper Ciaran Kelly did very well to get down and make a safe at McKenna’s feet.
Athlone’s first and only chance of the first half came in the seventh minute. Ex Longford Town player Eric Lavine found himself through on goal, it looked like the striker had beaten home ‘keeper Neil Gallagher but his looping shot went just inches over the crossbar.
On 18 minutes Longford right back Stephen Gough saw his dipping shot go over and seven minutes later McKenna once again had an effort to break the deadlock but his weak shot didn’t trouble Kelly.
The home side started the second half like they did the first carving out numerous chances to open the scoring. Shane Harte had a fantastic effort in the 56th minute but he shot just went wide of Kelly’s post. The visitors came more into the game after the interval after being completely overrun in the first 45 minutes by the hosts
On the hour mark Athlone’s Robbie Hamm tried to test Gallagher with a long range effort but his shot was saved by the Longford netminder. Four minutes later the visitor’s had a wonderful chance to grab a goal after two mistakes by Town players Stephen Brennan and Alan O’Riordan; Lavine seized his opportunity but dragged his shot just inches wide.
15 minutes from time the deadlock was finally broken. Harte hit a cracking free-kick from about 25 yards out which flew past Kelly, who was somewhat distracted by Longford defender O’Riordan. Three minutes later Gough had a chance to double his side’s lead but his free-kick went wide. The home side will rue not being more ruthless when they went in front and should’ve closed out the game. But they didn’t and instead it was the visitors who got back into the game.
With just four minutes remaining and Longford on the verge of recording back to back wins for the first time this season Athlone got back in the game; Colm Jinks hit a spectacular long range volley that beat the helpless Gallagher.
Longford Town: Neill Gallagher; Stephen Gough, Stephen Brennan, Daire Doyle, Alan O’Riordan; Gary Muprhy (Alan Lynch 22 (Daithi Garry 87)), Damien Rushe, Luke Hardy, Shane Harte; Darren McKenna, Jason Oladele (Ken Butler 83).
Subs not used: Nathan Weiss, John McGuinness.
Athlone Town: Ciaran Kelly; Ian Rossiter, Des Hope, Nigel Keady, Robbie Hamm; Joey Malone (David O'Dowd 72), Colm Jinks, Philly Reilly, Carmaine Russo (John Mernagh 57); Eric Lavine, Noel McGee.
Subs not used: Jim Sheridan, Darren Young, Ritchie Fitzgibbon.
Referee: Darren Coombes (Dublin).
