CORK CITY 6
ATHLONE TOWN 1
John Dingle
Athlone Town slumped to their biggest defeat of the season when they were hit for six by Cork City at Turners Cross last Friday.
Three goals in the opening half had the league leaders in control with three further scores before the hour mark completing the trashing, a stoppage time goal proved to be mere consolation for a dejected Town outfit.
City had the first chance after three minutes when Cian Murphy’s shot on the turn was saved while Aaron Bolger then fired wide. The scoring was opened on 14 minutes when Athlone were slack and duly punished as Dylan McGlade set up Barry Coffey who shot home. The lead was doubled two minutes later as the same two players linked up again with Coffey grabbing a second goal. The home team were in control but had to wait until just after the half hour mark for their next chance.
Athlone had to wait until late in the half for their first opportunity, Patrick Hickey flicking the ball onto Shane Barnes but the finish was wide of the target. Athlone then had an opportunity to break on the counter attack following a home corner but Oisin Duffy’s shot lacked sufficient power to test the City keeper. The home team made it three nil from their second corner kick after 43 minutes as Cian Coleman rose to head home the delivery.
Athlone were caught out again from a corner in the first minute of the second half. Matt Healy again delivered the ball to the far post where the unmarked Josh Honohan headed home from close range. Half time substitute Valerii Dolia then fired over for the visitors but further goals were to follow for Colin Healy’s men. Goal number five came on 51 minutes from the penalty spot as Vladislav Velikin was adjudged to have fouled Ruairi Keating when challenging for a high ball. Although Velikin dived the right way, he was unable to keep out the number nines spot kick.
Goal number six arrived just before the hour mark, Coffey completing his hat trick with a shot from the edge of the penalty area which the town keeper could only help over the goal line. Surprisingly it finished off the scoring for City as Athlone avoided a more severe beating.
The Town earned their only corner midway through the half through Thomas Oluwa. Athlone’s top scorer then sent a cross from the left over the bar. Daniel Dobbin was also off target as the visitors looked to grab some consolation. Hat trick hero Coffey had the last home chance but could not add to his tally when firing wide.
Athlone grabbed a consolation score in the final minute of the three additional minutes. It was a well taken goal to end the action on Leeside and blot Cork’s performance. Adam Lennon passed to Dolia on the right and the strike was deadly accurate with the ball flying to the roof of the net for a first Athlone goal to the substitute.
