ATHLONE TOWN 2 WATERFORD FC 5
It was a baptism of fire for new Athlone Town manager Martin Russell as his Athlone Town team were hit for five when the club’s First Division campaign commenced on Friday night last.
Waterford FC are fancied to lift the title and justified their favouritism, leading by four nil before the hour mark. Stephen Kenny opened the Town’s account after 80 minutes but the four goal advantage was quickly restored. Glen McAuley completed the scoring from the penalty spot in a seven goal thriller.
Waterford showed their attacking intent from the kick off with the first corner kick earned inside the opening minute. McAuley had the first shot on target soon after but it was one of the few home highlights during the opening 20 minutes. Yassine En-Neyah and Phoenix Patterson came close for the Blues with Michael Schlingerman then denying the latter and a follow up attempt from Cian Kavanagh.
The scoring was opened on the quarter hour mark when Kavanagh touched the ball home following another corner and the lead was doubled three minutes later with Patterson blasting a loose ball to the roof of the net.
Athlone rallied and, after earning their first corner, Thomas Oluwa’s shot on the turn going wide. McAuley then had a free kick tipped behind but the visitors added to their goal tally after 36 minutes, Patterson drilling a free kick on the edge of the penalty area over the defensive wall and past the keeper’s left.
Athlone tried to respond as Kenny had a shot saved while another debutant Jackson Hulme fired wide. The last action in first half stoppage time saw Derek Daly send a free kick over but Waterford went off holding a comfortable lead. Athlone, with eight debutants, were taking time to gel and unlucky having to face the title favourites in their first outing.
There was less goalmouth action after the break but the away lead was never in any danger. Athlone did have a chance early on to reduce the deficit but Oluwa fired over after being set up by McAuley.
The Blues ended the game as a contest after 55 minutes. Athlone lost possession to Armando Quitirna in their own half and a low strike to the net by the number eleven was clinical.
A rout looked on the cards at this stage but Athlone opened their goal account for 2022 with 10 minutes remaining. Oisin Duffy had come on as a substitute at half time and sent in a low cross from the right which Kenny drilled past goalkeeper Brian Murphy.
The celebrations were short-lived as the four goal advantage was restored two minutes later. A cross from the right carried over the keeper and Louis Britton was on hand to head home from close range.
The goal fest finished when Athlone found the net for a second time with three minutes remaining. McAuley was bundled over in the box and then took the resulting spot kick which was dispatched past the keeper, taking the poor look off the scoreboard just a little.
