ATHLONE TOWN 1 LONGFORD TOWN 2
All three goals in this Midlands derby between Athlone Town and Longford Town on Friday night last arrived in the opening half, the hosts opening the scoring but Longford replied with two goals in five minutes to lead at the break - Athlone were reduced to ten men late on but had a chance soon after to level matters only for Thomas Oluwa to hit the post.
The visitors earned the first corner kick with two minutes played while Shane Barnes had the first home chance after 10 minutes. Matthew O’Brien then fired wide for Longford with Luke Dennison out before Barnes could pounce at the other end.
The home striker was not to be denied though on 19 minutes when remaining cool to shoot to the net after the keeper had blocked a shot from Oluwa. Athlone did not build on their positive start and Longford pair Eric Molloy and Dean McMenamy were both denied by Mark Smith. A corner kept up the pressure with Sam Verdon heading wide.
The equaliser arrived after 30 minutes in fortunate circumstances when Karl Chambers launched an attack down the right and his cross cum shot looped over Smith. Gary Armstrong responded for Athlone with a long-range effort which flew wide.
The winning goal came after 34 minutes when Longford beat the offside trap, Molloy releasing Ryan Graydon who skipped around the keeper and rolled the ball into the net. Athlone's Aaron McBride had the last chance of the half when shooting at Dennison.
The second half only came to life during the closing stages. Athlone created few chances but could still have collected a point, but Longford’s O’Brien and Molloy had the first two chances on the resumption of play.
Armstrong had a shot saved and a second one that cleared the bar from long range as the home team responded. Longford though were under little pressure and looked comfortable. Joe Power fired over from the left for the visitors with team captain Sam Verdon having a shot saved midway through the half.
Graydon was wide and Dylan Barnett was also off target as Longford pressed. Athlone only came to life again in the last 10 minutes. Oisin Duffy sent in a cross from the end line but Oluwa's close range header was easily saved.
Longford’s task looked easier when the home team were reduced to ten men with four minutes remaining, Daniel Dobbins heavy touch in midfield saw him commit a foul when trying to regain possession which resulted in a second yellow card and his dismissal. It was the second game in a row that an Athlone player saw red.
It seemed to galvanise the team rather than hinder them. Athlone came agonisingly close a minute after the dismissal to collecting just their third point of the season when Oluwa hit the upright with Dennison beaten.
Athlone's first corner kick was earned in the penultimate minute from which McBride fired over. Three additional minutes soon passed as Longford’s long unbeaten run against their local rivals continues.
