Athlone Town 2 - 3 Waterford United

www.eleven-a-side.com

Waterford United survived an Athlone Town fight-back at St. Mel’s Park on Friday night, November 15, and extended their lead to six points at the top of the First Division.

This was the only Eircom League game played anywhere in the country on a night when all the Premier Division matches were called off because of the recent bad weather. Athlone Town officials deemed their pitch playable but after 18 minutes they must have wished they hadn’t as the visitors raced into a three-goal lead.

It took only six minutes for the table toppers to go ahead after Athlone defender Ronan Frawley scored an own-goal when his attempted back-pass rolled into the net.

In the 12th minute Daryl Murphy headed home Waterford’s second goal and Vinny Sullivan made it three in the 18th. Waterford were cruising to victory and although Athlone created two good chances before the break, the visitors still looked in control.

However Athlone came out fighting in the second half and pulled a goal back in the 58th minute, courtesy of Stephen Mullan. They enjoyed the better of the exchanges for the remainder of the game and reduced the deficit to only one in the 78th minute after Stephen Kelly converted a penalty.

The home crowd sensed a sensational comeback was on the cards and although they threw everything at Waterford in the last ten minutes Wayne Russell made a number of good saves and helped the visitors hold out to take the win.

We were well worth a draw if not a win, great second half display.

We have this tendency to fall asunder when put under a bit of pressure but I think this is caused by our own lack of belief in taking the initiative.

We are one of the better teams in this division and are capable of beating any team. Let's start putting a few wins together and you'd never know what would happen.

Strange decision by Jimmy again to bring in lightweight Rush in place of Harney before the end when we really needed a bit of steel in the middle of the park maybe in the shape of Alan Oliver.