atfconline
20/09/2002, 9:43 PM
Athlone Town produced their best performance of the season to claim a point against title favourites Finn Harps in Saint Mel's Park tonight.
Truth be told, Athlone could be disappointed not to have claimed all three points, but will be happy enough to have kept a clean sheet for the first time in seven games. The first half was an even affair with Harps probably just shading it in terms of chances. However, it was Athlone that had the ball in the net in the 30th minute, but it was disallowed for an infringement in the box and Harps were awarded a free out. Five minutes later and this time Harps almost got the opening goal. A few yards to the right of his own goal, Michael Harney tried clearing the ball out but was blocked by a Harps player and only for the alertness of Shane Curran saving the deflection at the post, Athlone would have been one down. The lively Harney who scored in Athlone's win over Kildare last week picked up a yellow card on the stroke of half time.
Athlone came out after the break with all guns blazing and had a plethora of chances. Former Harps favourite Davy Dowling had the first of these in the first minute, lobbing the goalie but his effort went just wide. This was quickly followed up by Warren Parkes with a shot on the turn. Kepping the pressure on Harps around their box, Athlone were awarded a free shortly after and Eric Molloy's effort went just over the bar. Town went close on at least another five occassions in the opening 15 minutes of the second half. The north-westeners slowly got back up to pace and had a number of chances but just never really dominated the game.
Stephen Mullin made his first home appearance of the season, when he replaced the injured Parkes 25 minutes into the half and had claims for a penalty turned down shortly after. Five minutes later, Micky Collins was given a straight red card for a tackle on Harps frontman and player/mamanger Jonathan Speak. This was a ridiculous decision as Collins tackled him from the side and won the ball. Athlone kept their heads high, and even with the numerical advantage, Harps never got on top of Town. The impressive back four of Carberry, Fitzell, Shine and Oliver restricted Harps to only a small number of chances. When Dowling was replaced by Under-21 star Damien Rushe, Athlone had decided to play for the single point. Stephen Mullin was left on his own up front and never really had any chances, but once he is up to match fitness again, he should be a threat. Athlone did continue to threat from midfield however and with four minutes left on the clock, Jimmy Greene introduced Gary Devine for Eric Molloy who picked up a knock. Striker Devine played a very defenive role though and Mullin was very isolated up front.
There were a number of close calls near the end, but Town held out for a very deserved point, and put a dent in the promotion hopes of Finn Harps. Athlone were missing influential captain Stephen Kelly in midfield, and the ever reliable Conor Frawley at the back. They should both be back for the next game against Dundalk, which takes place next Thursday September 26th in Oriel Park, and present Jimmy Greene with a pleasent selection dilemma.
Truth be told, Athlone could be disappointed not to have claimed all three points, but will be happy enough to have kept a clean sheet for the first time in seven games. The first half was an even affair with Harps probably just shading it in terms of chances. However, it was Athlone that had the ball in the net in the 30th minute, but it was disallowed for an infringement in the box and Harps were awarded a free out. Five minutes later and this time Harps almost got the opening goal. A few yards to the right of his own goal, Michael Harney tried clearing the ball out but was blocked by a Harps player and only for the alertness of Shane Curran saving the deflection at the post, Athlone would have been one down. The lively Harney who scored in Athlone's win over Kildare last week picked up a yellow card on the stroke of half time.
Athlone came out after the break with all guns blazing and had a plethora of chances. Former Harps favourite Davy Dowling had the first of these in the first minute, lobbing the goalie but his effort went just wide. This was quickly followed up by Warren Parkes with a shot on the turn. Kepping the pressure on Harps around their box, Athlone were awarded a free shortly after and Eric Molloy's effort went just over the bar. Town went close on at least another five occassions in the opening 15 minutes of the second half. The north-westeners slowly got back up to pace and had a number of chances but just never really dominated the game.
Stephen Mullin made his first home appearance of the season, when he replaced the injured Parkes 25 minutes into the half and had claims for a penalty turned down shortly after. Five minutes later, Micky Collins was given a straight red card for a tackle on Harps frontman and player/mamanger Jonathan Speak. This was a ridiculous decision as Collins tackled him from the side and won the ball. Athlone kept their heads high, and even with the numerical advantage, Harps never got on top of Town. The impressive back four of Carberry, Fitzell, Shine and Oliver restricted Harps to only a small number of chances. When Dowling was replaced by Under-21 star Damien Rushe, Athlone had decided to play for the single point. Stephen Mullin was left on his own up front and never really had any chances, but once he is up to match fitness again, he should be a threat. Athlone did continue to threat from midfield however and with four minutes left on the clock, Jimmy Greene introduced Gary Devine for Eric Molloy who picked up a knock. Striker Devine played a very defenive role though and Mullin was very isolated up front.
There were a number of close calls near the end, but Town held out for a very deserved point, and put a dent in the promotion hopes of Finn Harps. Athlone were missing influential captain Stephen Kelly in midfield, and the ever reliable Conor Frawley at the back. They should both be back for the next game against Dundalk, which takes place next Thursday September 26th in Oriel Park, and present Jimmy Greene with a pleasent selection dilemma.