ATHLONE TOWN 1 BRAY WANDERERS 1
After five straight defeats, Athlone Town finally picked up their first point of the new campaign when they came from behind to secure a draw at home to Bray Wanderers last Friday night - Kurtis Byrne had handed the visitors a half time lead against his former club but Thomas Oluwa levelled matters just before the hour mark.
Bray earned the first corner kick but the hosts soon got even on that front as goalkeeper Stephen McGuinness was out to collect from the delivery. Rob Manley was then off target for Wanderers but the visitors soon opened the scoring after 13 minutes when Micheal Schlingermann’s clearance was quickly returned towards goal allowing Byrne to find the net against his former club, one of the few highlights in the half.
Athlone increased their corner count with two in quick succession while Carlton Ubaezuonu had a chance to score after 33 minutes but the danger was cleared. Gary Armstrong was also off target for the Town. Athlone were unlucky not to have headed off for the break on level terms when, in the penultimate minute, an inviting ball played in from the right by Success Edogun was almost touched home by Oluwa who also headed wide afterwards. Edogun had a shot saved in stoppage time.
The second half saw Athlone grab an equaliser and then come close to claiming a first win of the season. Bray had the first couple of chances following the resumption of play. Daniel Blackbyrne fired wide with Manley also off target with a headed effort.
Athlone’s first chance fell to Ubaezuonu but good build up play was not reflected in the finish with the ball being sent wide. The equaliser finally arrived after 57 minutes as Gary Armstrong, from the centre circle, released Oluwa who cut inside and fired a low shot to the net between the keeper and the post.
Oluwa had a great chance to put the home team in front three minutes later but McGuinness saved with his legs. A corner kept up the home pressure but the visitors held firm. Bray had their chances as Paul Fox fired over and Manley had a shot saved.
Schlingermann was also called into action when pushing away a Blackbyrne cross from the right. An exciting final five minutes contained more drama. After 86 minutes, Oluwa had a shot from the left pushed away. Five more minutes of additional time continued the play in an exciting conclusion and both teams had chances to snatch a winning goal.
A home corner was followed by Schlingermann coming to the rescue at the other end to push behind a shot from Bray substitute Darragh Livingstone. Quincy Nkansah was not long in the game as a late substitute and could quickly have been the home hero, but the finish was poor though from the Dutchman as the shot flew wide of the target.
A free kick on the right afforded Athlone another late opportunity but Stephen Kenny’s delivery failed to trouble the Bray defence.
A Treaty Triumph in Limerick
Meanwhile, a brace of goals from former Athlone Town striker, Dean George, condemned Martin Russell’s charges to their sixth defeat of the campaign as Treaty United emerged victorious in Markets Field on Monday night.
George pounced on a parry from Town custodian, Micheal Schlingermann, to put the hosts ahead on 42 minutes, and the former Town striker was soon celebrating his second goal of the contest when he found the net from close distance on the hour mark.
