Athlone Town -v- Salthill Devon

• Simon O'Gorman
• Sat, May 15 2010


Athlone Town take on Salthill Devon at Lissywoolen on Saturday night with the visitors still looking for their first league win of the season. (Kick off 7.30pm)

It’s not difficult to predict the most likely outcome of this Airtricity First Division game with Salthill Devon having lost ten of their opening eleven matches. Indeed, were it not for the fact that Wexford Youths fielded an ineligible player against the Galway side and had their 2-1 win overturned, Salthill would have just one point to their name.

That solitary point was earned against fellow strugglers and near neighbours Mervue United when Salthill’s Enda Dunne scored an injury time equaliser in a game that ended up two goals apiece. This remains a highlight of the league newcomer’s season so far.

Athlone on the other hand have become one of the hardest teams in the division to beat. Following on from their opening day 1-0 win against Salthill, courtesy of an Austin Skelly goal, the midlanders have lost just three times, although a total of five draws has somewhat impeded their points tally.

Athlone’s most impressive statistic is that they have so far managed to keep their opponents scoreless on seven occasions, including the likes of Shelbourne, Waterford and Monaghan and it is this defensive solidity that has become the bedrock of their season.

In light of this it’s worth pointing out that Salthill have failed to score in seven of their eleven outings and so represent one of the least likely candidates to upset Athlone’s backline.

But if Salthill are looking for some crumbs of comfort they might take a look at Athlone’s column of wins. It has only three entries to date, Salthill themselves, Mervue United and Longford town, none of whom will be threatening the top of the table come the end of the year.

Success at the back has not been mirrored in front of goal and Athlone have scored only seven goals in their eleven games. This is plainly a meeting of two low achievers in the striking department and there is perhaps an argument for this ending up as a 0-0 draw. But there is something inexorable about Salthill Devon’s struggles at national level and the weight of expectation leans more towards a narrow win for the home side.



Extratime prediction: A 1-0 win for Athlone Town