atfconline
19/09/2002, 3:08 PM
fai.ie (http://www.fai.ie)
Athlone Town manager Jimmy Greene is no under no illusions about the task facing his side when they entertain Finn Harps at St Mel's Park on Friday (Kick off 7:45).
Harps narrowly missed out on promotion last season and having beaten Dublin City and Limerick convincingly in recent weeks, Greene knows how difficult the match is going to be. However, having picked up their first league victory of the season last week against Kildare County, Town are hoping to pick up their first points at home.
"It was a great result for us last week. We've only lost one of our three games which is a good start and hopefully we can build on it.
"But Finn Harps will be a different challenge. We would have them as favourites to win promotion so it's going to be a very tough game."
Finn Harps boss Jonathan Speak also feels it will be a difficult game but insists his side must go for the three points. "St Mel's Park is a difficult place to go but if you're going to win this league they are the places you have to go and win," he said. "Confidence is very high at the minute and we just have to go there and do what we've been doing very well recently."
Town will be without the suspended Stephen Kelly, but welcome back Eric Molloy from injury. Conor Frawley is back from suspension, but is doubtful with an ankle injury while Ronan Frawley will definitely miss the game after only returning to training this week.
For Harps, Tom Mohan is fully fit and is likely to return in midfield though Shane Bradley misses out through suspension.
Athlone Town manager Jimmy Greene is no under no illusions about the task facing his side when they entertain Finn Harps at St Mel's Park on Friday (Kick off 7:45).
Harps narrowly missed out on promotion last season and having beaten Dublin City and Limerick convincingly in recent weeks, Greene knows how difficult the match is going to be. However, having picked up their first league victory of the season last week against Kildare County, Town are hoping to pick up their first points at home.
"It was a great result for us last week. We've only lost one of our three games which is a good start and hopefully we can build on it.
"But Finn Harps will be a different challenge. We would have them as favourites to win promotion so it's going to be a very tough game."
Finn Harps boss Jonathan Speak also feels it will be a difficult game but insists his side must go for the three points. "St Mel's Park is a difficult place to go but if you're going to win this league they are the places you have to go and win," he said. "Confidence is very high at the minute and we just have to go there and do what we've been doing very well recently."
Town will be without the suspended Stephen Kelly, but welcome back Eric Molloy from injury. Conor Frawley is back from suspension, but is doubtful with an ankle injury while Ronan Frawley will definitely miss the game after only returning to training this week.
For Harps, Tom Mohan is fully fit and is likely to return in midfield though Shane Bradley misses out through suspension.