Athlone Town -v- Cobh Ramblers

• Simon O'Gorman
• Sat, Mar 23 2013




ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone have had a steady start to their 2013 First Division campaign, picking up four points from their opening two league games, and Roddy Collins’ side will be looking to add three more to their tally when Cobh Ramblers come calling to Lisseywoollen on Saturday evening.

 

Athlone opened up their league campaign with an unspectacular scoreless draw at home to Mervue United but the point gained and the clean sheet that came with it have already contributed to a tight start for the Midlanders. A midweek defeat in the EA Cup against derby rivals Longford Town did not distract them from their league duties and last weekend they got their first win of the new season when a brace from Ryan Coombes secured a 2-0 win away to Wexford Youths.

 

Coombes has spent the week on international duty with the Republic’s U19 international side in Spain and his involvement against Cobh depends upon the timing of his return. Roddy Collins will definitely have to plan without Barry Clancy who was sent off against Wexford but, on the up-side, he should have Limerick loanee Garbhan Coughlan available for selection after he trained successfully during the week.

 

COBH RAMBLERS

Cobh Ramblers will have happy memories of the last time they visited Lisseywoollen as their 1-0 win over Athlone on 9 November 2007 saw them claim that year’s First Division title and a place in the Premier Division for 2008.

 

Defender Kevin Murray was the man who scored the winning goal that night and, although Murray is now the captain of Premier Division Cork City, two of that Cobh side will be in the squad for this weekend’s fixture. Davin O’Neill and John Meade may potentially bridge the six year gap as both will be available to manager Dave Hill who has no injury or suspension concerns ahead of the game.

 

Cobh’s return to the national League has seen some dramatic performances, opening their campaign with a 5-0 win over Wexford Youths in front of over 800 people at St Coleman’s Park a fortnight ago. That was followed up with a 4-1 defeat away to Finn Harps last weekend. Cobh also suffered defeat at the hands of Waterford United in the EA Cup last Tuesday night and Hill will be keen that his men rediscover their winning touch against Athlone.

 

Hill will no doubt be looking for a bit more stability from his side as they face a tough proposition in an Athlone side who are already looking to have some solid defensive form. But he will buoyed by the fact that his team have scored in all three of their competitive games to date.

 

Referee: Andrew Mullally.

 

 

MATCH STATS

Athlone Town have ket clean sheets in both of their opening league games this season. Another one against Cobh would bring their 2013 tally to half of last season’s total. In all of 2012 they managed just six.

 

Conor Meade is Cobh’s leading marksman so far with three league goals from the opening two fixtures, while Ryan Coombes, with two, is Athlone’s only goal-scorer so far this season.

 

In the last season that these teams met in the league, 2007, Cobh won three of the four encounters with Athlone’s only positive result coming courtesy of a 0-0 draw at Lisseywoollen.

 

 

BETTING

Athlone 10/11; Draw 9/4; Cobh 11/4.

 

PREDICTION

A draw -  1-1.

 

 

Athlone Town

Injured: None.
Doubtful: Garbhan Coughlan.
Suspended: Barry Clancy.

 

Cobh Ramblers

Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.