atfconline
29/11/2002, 10:15 PM
Athlone have slipped into the second re-election place after defeat against Kildare County at Saint Mel's Park last night, 29th November 2002.
In a fairly even game, Athlone can count themselves very unlucky not to come away from the game without at least one point. Kildare had the upperhand in the early exchanges, without having any clear cut chances. They took the lead however from the penalty spot on 36 minutes. Clearing the ball out of the box, Town defender Jan Fitzell was adjudged to have pulled the shirt of County striker, Keith O'Connor. Ex-Manchester United Youths goalkeeper David Moran, starting his first game for Athlone, made an excellent save, but O'Connor was on hand to put away the rebound. The lead only last 8 minutes however, when Stephen Mullin got his fourth goal of the season, confidently scoring to the top right corner.
The second half started quietly again, Damien Rushe having Town's best chance with a volley from 30 yards out, going just inches over. The young midfielder, starting only the second time this season had a good game patrolling midfield with captain Stephen Kelly. Rushe replaced the suspended Michael Harney, and did enough to earn consideration for inclusion in the next game. While Harney is a very fiery, combative player, hence the suspensions from amassing yellow cards, Rushe is more composed, with a better touch on the ball. Captain Kelly has the best of both worlds. And it was Kelly that had the ball in the back of the net next. After having a number of attacks ruled offside, one attack did make it into the box with a scramble on the County goal-line. Kelly hit home, but his celebration was short lived as Dublin referee Huebert Byrne disallowed the goal for a handball.
Kildare had a number of chances too, the best of which fell to local lad Bryan Byrne. Connecting with a cross from substitute John Ryan, Byrne headed from close range, forcing Moran into an excellent reaction save, parrying the ball onto the bar. Their winning goal came in controversial circumstances in the 82nd minute. Athlone were building up an attack on the right, when the assistant referee on the left flank raised his flag for offside, even though not one Town player was within yards of being offside. Kildare took their free, sending the ball into the town box with Ray Scully giving Moran no chance from close range.
Try as they might, Athlone couldn't get another equaliser. Athlone were well worth a point, even though they had a number of players missing. Des Hope made his debut in the centre of defence, with Moran starting for the first time in goal . Striker Mark Sherlock made his debut, replacing goal scorer Mullin in the 90th minute, and Rushe starting his second game of the season in midfield. Even though Town now find themselves in the bottom two after Sligo's victory over Galway, there is no need to panic. Eight game remain, and 24 points are up for grabs. If the injur list settles down and abit of luck goes our way, we should climb up to midtable safety by late January.
In a fairly even game, Athlone can count themselves very unlucky not to come away from the game without at least one point. Kildare had the upperhand in the early exchanges, without having any clear cut chances. They took the lead however from the penalty spot on 36 minutes. Clearing the ball out of the box, Town defender Jan Fitzell was adjudged to have pulled the shirt of County striker, Keith O'Connor. Ex-Manchester United Youths goalkeeper David Moran, starting his first game for Athlone, made an excellent save, but O'Connor was on hand to put away the rebound. The lead only last 8 minutes however, when Stephen Mullin got his fourth goal of the season, confidently scoring to the top right corner.
The second half started quietly again, Damien Rushe having Town's best chance with a volley from 30 yards out, going just inches over. The young midfielder, starting only the second time this season had a good game patrolling midfield with captain Stephen Kelly. Rushe replaced the suspended Michael Harney, and did enough to earn consideration for inclusion in the next game. While Harney is a very fiery, combative player, hence the suspensions from amassing yellow cards, Rushe is more composed, with a better touch on the ball. Captain Kelly has the best of both worlds. And it was Kelly that had the ball in the back of the net next. After having a number of attacks ruled offside, one attack did make it into the box with a scramble on the County goal-line. Kelly hit home, but his celebration was short lived as Dublin referee Huebert Byrne disallowed the goal for a handball.
Kildare had a number of chances too, the best of which fell to local lad Bryan Byrne. Connecting with a cross from substitute John Ryan, Byrne headed from close range, forcing Moran into an excellent reaction save, parrying the ball onto the bar. Their winning goal came in controversial circumstances in the 82nd minute. Athlone were building up an attack on the right, when the assistant referee on the left flank raised his flag for offside, even though not one Town player was within yards of being offside. Kildare took their free, sending the ball into the town box with Ray Scully giving Moran no chance from close range.
Try as they might, Athlone couldn't get another equaliser. Athlone were well worth a point, even though they had a number of players missing. Des Hope made his debut in the centre of defence, with Moran starting for the first time in goal . Striker Mark Sherlock made his debut, replacing goal scorer Mullin in the 90th minute, and Rushe starting his second game of the season in midfield. Even though Town now find themselves in the bottom two after Sligo's victory over Galway, there is no need to panic. Eight game remain, and 24 points are up for grabs. If the injur list settles down and abit of luck goes our way, we should climb up to midtable safety by late January.