ATHLONE TOWN 2 KERRY FC 1
John Dingle
Athlone Town ensured there was no repeat of the league victory achieved by Kerry FC on their previous visit to Lissywollen as they claimed a crucial brace of league points on Friday night last.
Frantz Pierrot had handed the Town an early lead but the visitors fought back to draw level before half time, but Dylan Gavin proved to be the match winner with his first senior goal at home after 77 minutes.
Kerry had the first chance when Okwuy Okwute fired over but Athlone were soon in front as Jamar Campion-Hinds sent in a cross from the right which was finished to the net from close range by Pierrot with just six minutes played. It should have set Athlone on the road to a comfortable win over the bottom team but further chances were not put away.
Five minutes after scoring, Pierrot had another opportunity from a similar position but toe poked the ball wide. Campion-Hinds then had a shot blocked with Pierrot again off target following a Dan McKenna free kick.
The lead was almost doubled on the half hour mark, but Kerry keeper Lee Axworthy did well to tip over a long-range strike from Oisin Duffy. Kerry earned their first corner on 34 minutes and a minute later were back on level terms as team captain Leo Gaxha cut in from the left and unleashed a volley which entered the net via the upright.
Axworthy ensured the Kingdom outfit would head off for the break on level terms with a couple of good saves late in the half. A Campion-Hinds strike was parried with a Dolia effort pushed up and then safely gathered by the keeper.
Upon the resumption of play, the first opportunity fell to Gavin but his shot was saved. Another home corner was followed by Dolia firing a free kick over as Kerry still stood firm. Pierrot had few chances to add to his goal tally and was wide with a shot from Dolia’s left wing cross.
Kerry reached the hour mark still on level terms as two corner kicks in quick succession showed they still posed a threat whenever they attacked. Okwute saw his cross from the left collected by Enda Minogue and the outcome was still in doubt as the half progressed.
Athlone were finding it hard to prise open the away rear-guard and Dolia was off target with two attempts on goal as the home team struggled. Gaxha fired over for Kerry after 70 minutes but it proved to be one of the few times the visitors came close to adding to their earlier score.
Athlone’s Patrick Hickey was off target with a shot and a corner was not capitalised upon, but the winner finally arrived with 13 minutes remaining. Another corner taken by Dolia was cleared but the number ten regained possession. The ball was then delivered across the goalmouth to the far post where Gavin fired past the keeper from close range.
It proved to be sufficient for Athlone to take all three points as there was no subsequent response from a deflated visiting outfit.
