KERRY FC 0 ATHLONE TOWN 1
John Dingle
A return visit to Mounthawk Park, Tralee, the home of Kerry FC, garnered a second league success for Athlone Town as they claimed a vital brace of points in their quest for an end of season play-off place.
It was a third win in a row for the Town leaving the league newcomers still looking to secure their first victory at home since joining the league. Valerii Dolia had proved to be the match winner in the first ever meeting of the teams back in March and was again on target as Athlone edged an evenly contested affair. The goal came just after the half hour mark and goalkeeper, Enda Minogue, ensured it would be a winning one when he pushed a shot onto the post after 70 minutes as Kerry tried hard for an equaliser.
Athlone earned the first corner kick after nine minutes play. Kerry thought they had taken the lead from their first attack on 14 minutes but Ryan Kelliher’s effort was ruled out for offside. The visitors looked more likely thereafter to break the deadlock as they dominated possession. Dolia fired over and also sent a cross from the left wide.
The best chance in the early stages came on 24 minutes when Adam Lennon took aim from the left but fired his shot just wide of the far post. A corner then followed for Athlone while Sean McGrath had a chance on the half hour mark for Kerry.
The winner arrived a minute later as Athlone gained a throw in on the right. Oisin Duffy’s delivery was directed towards Aaron Connolly on the end line. The ball then broke to Dolia who nipped in to gain possession as Kerry failed to clear the danger, his neat finish past the keeper from the edge of the six yard box putting Athlone in front. Lennon had the last chance in stoppage time but his cross from the left was caught by the home keeper.
The visitors had the first chance when play resumed but Dolia drilled a free kick over the bar. Kerry have struggled to score goals this season. The hosts earned their first corner after 55 minutes but too often thereafter they were frequently caught offside.
The host’s best chance of an equaliser came 25 minutes into the half when Ronan Teahan set up Kelliher. A neat turn on the edge of the box handed the striker the chance to score but his shot was pushed onto the post by the alert Minogue. Substitute Blake Ryan sent in a cross from the left which invitingly flew across the goalmouth without getting a touch as Athlone looked to seal victory.
Teahan then sent in a cross from the right at the other end which was caught by Minogue. The visitors played with five at the back during the latter stages of the half as Patrick Hickey dropped from midfield to lend a hand at the heart of the defence. A corner kick for the home team was the last action in normal time and another corner in stoppage time for Kerry ended the contest.
