Credit:
Longford Town -v- Athlone Town
- Deniese O'Flaherty
- Sat, Sep 17 2011
It’s the final installment of the midlands’ very own El Classico on Saturday night as Longford Town play host to their local rivals Athlone Town. (kick-off 7.30pm)
Longford Town hold the upper hand in meetings between these two sides this season; beating their rivals in the EA Sports Cup and the first league meeting back in April. They’ll be looking to make it three home wins out of three against their rivals. The last meeting between the sides ended in a 1-1 draw in the Athlone Town Stadium.
In that game in June a much changed Athlone side deservedly grabbed a point after falling behind to a stunning strike from Lee Roche five minutes from the break. Noel McGee who had just returned to the club got the equaliser for Athlone in the 74th minute. Despite having chances neither side could get the vital winner.
Both sides come into this game on the back of defeats. The home side were extremely unlucky not to come away from Jackman Pack with a point last weekend but a very late Denis Behan strike secured the win for Limerick.
Athlone Town will want to put last weekend’s humiliating 7-0 defeat to Cork City behind them. It was their biggest ever defeat at home. Assistant manager Padraig Moran didn’t mince his words when he spoke about that game. “I haven't been critical of the players all season but what can I say other than that performance was embarrassing, I can only apologise to the Athlone support as they pay money to watch their team and remember it means a lot to some people. That performance was a complete embarrassment and shouldn't be accepted.”
Moran believes that manager Mike Kerley will make changes for the game against Longford Town. They also have a few injuries to contend with. Niall Scullion has been ruled out for the end of the season with an ankle injury while four players are rated 50/50 for the Flancare Park clash; Kevin Williamson, Brian Collopy, Jamie Carr and Noel McGee.
Longford Town will have to do without the services of defender Chris Deans after he was harshly sent off in Limerick. But they have a good replacement in Jeff Flood who was immense in Jackman Park last weekend. Thomas Crawley and Alan McGreal missed that game due to illness and should be back in the squad. Niall O’Reilly is still out with a groin injury while Keith Gillespie’s injury still remains a mystery.
Longford Town
Injured: Niall O’Reilly, Keith Gillespie, Alvin Rouse, Michael Lee.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Chris Deans.
Athlone Town
Injured: Niall Scullion.
Doubtful: Kevin Williamson, Brian Collopy, Jamie Carr, Noel McGee.
Suspended: None.
Referee: Keith Callanan.
Paddy Power Odds: Home 4/9; Draw 11/4; Away 6/1.
Extratime prediction: Longford Town to claim another midlands derby victory.
About Deniese O'Flaherty
Deniese O'Flaherty has yet to write anything about themselves but click on the bio link to view all past work.