Athlone Town 0 - 0 Mervue United
Credit:
Roddy Collins began life at Athlone Town with a 0-0 draw against Mervue United in Athlone Town Stadium on Saturday night. In a game of few chances, a late Philly Gorman header could have won it for the home side but the ball dipped just over the crossbar.
Mervue United started the game on the front foot, with both Ryan Manning and Jason Molloy creating openings. On nine minutes, Gary Kelly set Manning in on goal however, as he closed in, Athlone keeper Paul Skinner managed to take the ball off his boot.
Athlone Town's first real opportunity came on 18 minutes when Philly Gorman set Lee Dixon in on goal. His shot was smartly saved by Conor Gleeson. Mervue created two good chances before the half hour, first Roddy Collins Junior cleared for a corner with Molloy baring down on goal followed by a Mark Ludden header which almost caught out Skinner, scraping the outside of the post.
Just past the half hour, a Ludden long throw found captain Tom King unmarked in the area. He got the ball stuck under his feet and it was cleared by Aidan Collins.
Athlone started the second half brightly. Three minutes in, Jonathan Kelty pulled his shot wide and then Dixon managed to wriggle through the Mervue defence but he was unable to apply the finish.
With 25 minutes left on the clock, the Galway side created an opening. From a Gary Curran delivery into the box, Enda Varley's shot lacked the accuracy needed, firing wide of the target.
Moments later substitute Tzee Mustapha almost caught out the Mervue defence but he wasn't quick enough to beat Gleeson to the ball.
After 79 minutes Niall Lanigan's free kick was met by the head of Philly Gorman but his attempt dipped inches over Gleeson's bar.
On the stroke of full time, Sodiq Oguntola showed good feet to create an opening for Athlone Town but his final shot was tame and the game ended in stalemate.
Athlone Town: Paul Skinner; Roddy Collins JR, Neil Harney, Aidan Collins (C), Barry Clancy; Lee Dixon(Brian Gill 68), Niall Lanigan, Mark Hughes, Jonathan Kelty(Sodiq Oguntola 74); Ryan Coombes(Tzee Mustapha 58); Philip Gorman.
Subs not used: Craig Sexton (GK), Niall Scullion, Garvan Broughall.
Bookings: Ryan Coombes, Niall Lanigan, Brian Gill.
Mervue United: Conor Gleeson; Joe Woods, Martin Conneely, Michael McSweeney, Marc Ludden; Gary Curran, Gary Kelly, Tom King, Jason Molloy, Noel Varley (Brendan Lavelle 84); Ryan Manning.
Subs not used: Adrian Cronin (GK), Mike Elwood, Alex Lee, Kenny Farrell, Oscar Sibanda, Shane Keogh.
Bookings: Jason Molloy.
Referee: Ray Harvey
Attendance: 380
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Niall Lanigan (Athlone Town).
