RONAN FAGAN
An injury time strike from Madison Gibson salvaged a well earned draw for the Athlone Town senior women's team in Lissywollen on Saturday.
Evenly matched in recent fixtures, the club's most recent meeting resulting in historic FAI Cup Final success for Athlone in November, Athlone were determined to secure their first home victory of the league campaign but a 25th minute strike from Shelbourne's Noelle Murray had the visitors from the capital in the ascendancy as the shrill of the half time whistle sounded.
As befitting of a contest between two of the best teams in the league, the game was notable for its end to end feel particularly in the second half as Athlone probed for an equaliser but the Shelbourne defensive unit proved difficult to break down.
Athlone were duly rewarded for their offensive threat mere minutes into injury time when Gibson produced a moment of high skill to secure a draw for the home team, the US native's left foot volley sailing into the Shelbourne goal much to the delight of her teammates.
The result sees Athlone claim fifth position in the early season table with one win, one draw and one loss from their three games played.
Reigning champions Peamount United are the visitors to Lissywollen on Saturday, Athlone hoping to emulate their President's Cup success over the Dublin team and move closer to the summit of the league table.
