CORK CITY 4 ATHLONE TOWN 1
Athlone Town remain without a competitive victory this season following defeat to league leaders Cork City in Turners Cross on Friday night last.
Three goals in the first 35 minutes had City in control. Athlone did pull a goal back just before half time but the three-goal lead for the hosts was restored early in the second half. Athlone finished the game with ten men when substitute Aaron Connolly picked up two yellow cards in quick succession.
There was just 15 seconds played when Town keeper Micheal Schlingermann was called into action to save a shot from Barry Coffey. Athlone’s first chance fell to Thomas Oluwa but his shot was saved, one of the few times David Harrington was tested.
The opening goal then arrived on seven minutes. Neither Noah Van Geenen nor Schlingermann failed to deal with the danger on the edge of the penalty area allowing Ruairi Keating to pounce and plant the ball into an unguarded net. City pushed for further scores as Coffey headed over.
Another corner on 17 minutes saw Athlone concede a penalty kick. The Town were penalised for handball allowing Keating to step up and send Schlingermann the wrong way from the spot.
Athlone earned their first corner midway through the half but were further undone from Cork’s fourth corner, Athlone failing to clear the danger on 35 minutes and Cian Murphy headed home from close range.
The visitors rallied a little for the remainder of the opening half. Two corners were earned in quick succession and the deficit was reduced eight minutes from half time. Gary Armstrong delivered a cross from the right which Carlton Ubaezuonu headed to the net off the post. It offered Athlone some hope but Schlingermann had to be brave to block a shot from Coffey and keep the score down.
City were soon on the attack when play resumed and Athlone again conceded from the third corner of the half after 52 minutes. The delivery which was played into the six-yard box was not dealt with and Coffey found the with a close-range header.
It completed the scoring in the game but there were further incidents to follow. Athlone’s first chance of the half came when Aaron McBride headed over following a free kick.
City responded with two more corners and Cian Bargary sprung the game back to life on 81 minutes, his shot from the left was pushed away from goal by Schlingermann.
A miserable night in Munster was completed for Athlone moments later when Connolly, had come on as a substitute midway through the half, received a second yellow card for a clumsy foul on Aaron Bolger which saw the Town down to ten men for the closing stages.
It was the third dismissal in five games for Athlone. There was still time for the visitors to respond positively and Stephen Kelly sent in a shot from the left which was pushed away for a corner by Harrington.
