- Andrew Dempsey
- Sat, Aug 12 2023
Andrew Dempsey reports from Bishopsgate
Frantz Pierrot’s stunning late brace claimed the spoils in the Midlands derby for Athlone Town as they came back from the brink to stun hosts Longford Town.
But it was boss Dario Castelo’s decision to bring on former Charlton attacker Dylan Gavin that swung the game in their favour after falling 2-1 behind against the Red and Black.
Gavin was brought on in place of defender Jack Kavanagh in the 74th minute and his impact was telling.
He played a dummy to allow Pierrot level the game with just ten minutes to go, and his through ball found the Haitian striker who barged in on goal to shoot past Jack Brady.
Athlone in fact took the lead through Valerii Dolia during the first half but they were pegged back before the interval via Cristian Magerusan’s impromptu effort on goal.
And the former Bohemians striker then put Stephen Henderson’s side ahead in the 65th minute as he thundered home a Viktor Serdeniuk free-kick to put De Town in dreamland.
But Athlone had the last laugh and broke Longford’s hearts via Pierrot’s late double.
Yet, Longford will be left wondering what could, and should have been. They started the game the better of the two and ought to have taken the lead in the 12th minute through Beineon O’Brien-Whitmarsh.
The former Cobh Ramblers striker pounced on a dreadful Athlone Town defensive blunder to race in on goal but he was denied by keeper Enda Minogue who closed the angle on the forward well.
While they were on top, Longford failed to test Minogue again until the half hour mark through Magerusan. The former Bohs hitman had a speculative bicycle kick saved by the ex-Bray Wanderers stopper after getting on the end of Shane Elworthy’s header.
But Athlone took the lead just minutes later through Dolia.
The Ukrainian blasted home on the edge of the box after Longford failed to clear a Jamar Campion-Hinds throw-in – giving his side a fortuitous lead.
That did not last long however as Longford returned the favour by scoring from a long throw into the danger zone just 120 seconds later.
Dylan Hand’s initial ball into the box was cleared but the former Warrenpoint Town man bravely headed the ball back into the danger area before Magerusan slotted home under the body of Minogue.
Longford used that goal to their advantage during the opening stages of the second half and kicked on without especially threatening the Athlone Town goal with efforts on goal – although Elworthy should have scored when he met Kyle O’Connor’s cross at the back post.
But they eventually took the lead in the 65th minute when Magerusan thundered home Serdeniuk’s devilish ball into the penalty area – and it looked as if they would push on and claim their first derby win over Athlone in four games.
However, Athlone changed shape and that yielded its reward after forward Gavin came on with just 16 minutes of normal time remaining.
And just six minute after his introduction he played a vital dummy after Daniel Orrego’s cross into Pierrot, with the in-form Athlone striker sensationally scoring on the turn to make it 2-2.
Sensing blood with Longford sitting back even more – Athlone got the winner in the 88th minute although it came on the break.
Pierrot muscled past Town defender Gavin O’Brien after Athlone attacker Gavin played in an inviting ball for his teammate – and he made no mistake in firing home past Brady with a fine finish.
But it was his outrageous touch that took the ball past O'Brien, and that meant the former Bohs defender was unable to haul Pierrot down before scoring.
And while Athlone have failed to defend as strongly as they have attacked in recent weeks, they were able to hang on and secure a vital three points as Jordan Adeyemo had a late chance saved by Minogue.
The victory means that Athlone have moved eight points clear of sixth placed Bray Wanderers with just nine games to play. Longford stay in seventh and are four points behind Wexford who occupy the final play-off spot.
Longford Town: Jack Brady; Shane Elworthy, Dylan Hand, Gavin O'Brien (Bastien Hery 89), Kyle O'Connor, Lewis Temple; Gary Armstrong (Mohamed Boudiaf 74), Victor Serdeniuk, Adam Wixted; Cristian Magerusan (Josh Giurgi 89), Beineon O'Brien Whitmarsh (Jordan Adeyemo 74).
Subs not used: Tom Bourke, Charles Mutawe, James Doona, Ross Fay, Ola Adeyemo.
Athlone Town: Enda Minogue; Patrick Hickey, Jack Kavanagh (Dylan Gavin 74), German Rodriguez (Haji Abdikadir 56), Noah van Geenan; Aaron Connolly, Oisin Duffy, Daniel McKenna; Jamar Campion-Hinds, Valerij Dolia (Daniel Orrego 61), Frantz Pierrot.
Subs not used: Shaun O'Donnell, Matthew Baker, Donal Curtin, Matthew Leal, Nazar Zubkov, Nehemie Lomboutou.
Booked: German Rodriguez (47), Haji Abdikadir (60), Aaron Connolly (71), Daniel McKenna (84).
Referee: Jason Moore.
Attendance: 1008.
extratime.com Player of the Match: Frantz Pierrot (Athlone Town).
