Galway United defender Killian Brouder had a major influence in the outcome of the game against Athlone Town last Friday night as two long throw ins from the visiting number five lead to two goals as the Town slumped to a fourth straight defeat.
A scoreless opening half gave the hosts some hope but scores either side of the hour mark proved crucial. Athlone reduced the deficit with five minutes remaining but could not force an equaliser.
The hosts had the first chance when Success Edogun charged forward but goalkeeper Conor Kearns was quickly off his line to block the ball. Galway recovered as Jordan Adeyemo and Mike Rowe were off target from their opening chances.
The first corner kick also fell to United but Athlone were up for the task and had two good chances to take a shock lead, both opportunities falling to Edogun. The Town striker tried his luck with a long-range attempt which a back-peddling Kearns was grateful to tip over. Oisin Duffy’s cross from the right then picked out Edogun but the shot went over the bar this time.
United forced another corner after 36 minutes and were almost gifted the opening goal a minute later. Goalkeeper Micheal Schlingermann advanced in vain and while Jordan Adeyemo fired towards an unguarded net, Noah Van Geenan got back to clear the ball behind.
The Town ended the half on the offensive, a Youri Habings shot was put out for a corner while Stephen Kenny had an effort saved in stoppage time.
Galway made two changes for the second half which helped turn the game in their favour. Meanwhile, Athlone continued to dominate on the resumption of play. A corner kick was following by Kenny again being denied by Kearns. Habing also fired over from long range while Galway’s first danger came from two corner kicks.
Brouder then changed the entire complexion of the game. The Galway defender launched one of his trademark deliveries into the penalty area on 58 minutes and half time substitute Manu Dimas headed backwards to the net.
The next Brouder throw in after 66 minutes saw the lead being doubled, Wilson Waweru taking advantage of more slack defending to score from close range with a clever back heel.
The goal tally was not added to as Galway then faded. Two corners in succession midway through the half lifted home spirits which were further boosted after 85 minutes, Thomas Oluwa setting up Edogun on the right and a low shot into the far corner of the net reduced the deficit.
The home team were now in search of an equaliser for the closing stages. Five additional minutes gave the home team more time to try and share the spoils but Galway saw out all the added minutes.
A corner kick deep into stoppage time came to nothing as United held on to record a win which sees them join Cork City at the top of the table while Athlone remained rooted to the bottom without a point.
