League Preview: Athlone Town -v- Finn Harps

• Dave Donnelly
• Fri, Aug 17 2018




ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone Town's second-last home game of the season sees them welcome Finn Harps to Lissywollen (kick-off 7.45pm).

A 3-0 defeat to Longford Town two weeks ago extended the midlands side's winless streak in the league to 39 games (not including the walkover against Wexford in June.

Last week saw Athlone comfortable defeated by fellow First Division side Shelbourne in the first round of the FAI Cup.

An own goal from Nika Kalandarishvilli gave the Reds a half-time lead before Paddy Kavanagh, Greg Moorhouse and Lorcan Fitzgerald wrapped up a 4-0 win at Tolka Park.

Athlone Town have failed to provide any team news.

FINN HARPS

Finn Harps travel to Lissywollen on Friday night as one of only two sides to drop points to the division's bottom side on the field of play.

Michael O'Connor scored 12 minutes from time in March as Harps just about escaped from Athlone with a point.

Ollie Horgan's side have improved massively since and come into this game on the back of six wins in their last seven games in all competitions.

Last week saw Harps reach the second round of the FAI Cup thanks to an extra-time win away to Premier Division Bray Wanderers.

Sam Todd cancelled out Ger Pender's opener to force an extra 30 minutes before Mikey Place and Jacob Borg scored to secure a 3-1 win for Harps at the Carlisle Grounds.

“Our players need to be able to lift their game and forget about the fact that Athlone are bottom of the table,” Horgan told the club's website.

“They have been unlucky in some games and have run some of the top teams close in games at Lissywollen.

“Terry Butler has brought in a couple players and they are stronger now. The leaders UCD went down there not that long ago and only won 1-0 with a penalty.

“We just cannot be complacent because if we are the lads could regret it come the end of the season.”

Paddy McCourt and Adam Duffy remain absent with injury, while Ciaran Coll, Mark Coyle and Nathan Boyle are all doubts.

 

Referee: John McLoughlin

 

MATCH STATS

The two meetings between the sides this season have seen Harps take four points.

The first game at Lissywollen finished 1-1 as Shane Stokes' strike early in the second half was cancelled out by Michael O'Connor.

The return game at Finn Park was more straightforward as Jesse Devers, Ciaran O'Connor, Mikey Place and Niall McGinley helped the Donegal side to a 4-0 win.

 

BETTING

Athlone Town 14/1; Draw 7/1; Finn Harps 1/12.

PREDICTION

Athlone Town 0 – 2 Finn Harps

 

Athlone Town

Injured: Unavailable.

Doubtful: Unavailable.

Suspended: None.

Finn Harps

Injured: Adam Duffy, Paddy McCourt.

Doubtful: Nathan Boyle, Ciaran Coll, Mark Coyle.

Suspended: None.

Unavailable: Niall McGinley.