Mons Miss Out In Added Time

A wet windy night in Athlone produced a dull dry game in the FAI eircom League of Ireland First Division between Athlone Town and Monaghan United. The 2-2 draw was secured for Athlone in the 2nd minute of added time from a rebounded penalty leaving United no time to reply.

United were a mess in midfield allowing Athlone to push forward where the Monaghan defence struggled to keep tabs on Eric Lavine and it seemed likely that Athlone would open the scoring. It was United who got off the mark first however when Darren Meenan found the back of the net having picked up on a fumbled ball by goalie Ciaran Kelly. Kelly had been unable to hold a wicked Robbie Farrell shot and Meenan pounced to put the Mons ahead in the 10th minute.

Athlone came straight back at Monaghan and Noel McGee missed a sitter and sent the ball well over the bar as United struggled to get back fully. Meenan went on a fantastic run up the wing to cross for Farrell in response but Athlone’s defence were onto it and the ball went out for the first of many corners until Athlone won a free.

In the 22nd minute Lavine got his name on the scoreboard as his goalward ball took a deflection off United’s Andy Cousin’s surprising Danny Woods and levelling the scores. Lavine had latched onto a cross from Luke Hardy following a pass from Colm Heffernan.

Lavine continued to cause problems for the United defence and Aaron Mooney and Luke Fitzpatrick had to make a great effort to keep him contained. McGee came close to putting the home side ahead when he made a break for goal with only ‘keeper Woods to contend with. Woods stretched himself out full and managed to get to the ball and send it out for a corner.

Having gotten off lightly, United went on the counter attack and won a corner. Fitzpatrick almost put Mons in front again but the slippy grass got the better of him and he was unable to make the most of his opportunity.

As half time loomed large Athlone once more looked like they would take the lead when a badly cleared corner was delivered to the feet of Hardy. The Athlone midfielder watched in misery as his shot came off the underside of the crossbar and out again allowing Woods a chance to gather himself, run the length of the goal and make a fine save in response to McGee’s stab.

United were not out of the race yet and Farrell sent a shot wide having made a great run up the pitch. United were unable to control midfield sufficiently and as the clock ticked down the ball languished in the middle of the park.

Danny Woods had suffered a shoulder injury during his acrobatic moments between the posts in the first half and had to be replaced by a semi-fit Alvin Rouse who is just returning from a leg injury. Rouse was called into action almost immediately when Lavine sent in a soft shot which didn’t trouble the Barbados goalie.

Athlone seemed to have the better ideas but their execution was sloppy and if they hadn’t made so many careless error’s they may have buried the struggling Mons early on in the 2nd half. The only entertainment came in the form of the one-on-one battles between Fitzpatrick and Lavine as a usually competent Fitzpatrick found it difficult to restrict Lavine.

As United tried to strike ahead Fitzpatrick came close again but his ball in just slid across the front of the goal mouth and out for an Athlone throw. United had some chances but they were just not able to get a clear shot on goal as Athlone’s defence stood strong.

United were undeterred and won a corner which resulted in a multiplicity of corner’s and throws with Kelly being hard pressed to keep the ball out of the net. Kevin Williamson, suffering a berating from his former club’s fans, showed his professionalism as he stayed cool and tried to score with an over head kick. The ball deflected into the hands of Kelly however and Williamson was left disappointed.

As the game slowed down somewhat Athlone had an opportunity missed when substitute David O’Dowd’s header flew over the bar. This seemed to spur United on and Meenan showed how important it is to keep the pressure on the goalie even when he has secured the ball. Meenan closed in on Kelly and was just retreating when Kelly kicked the ball out. The ball hit the back of Meenan’s head and spun into the path of the oncoming Farrell. Kelly ineffectually ran back towards the goal line watching the ball, as if in slow motion, bounce across the line into the back of the net to put United ahead in the 84th minute.

Moments later United had the prospect of securing the win when Paul Whelan made a run for goal but his shot bounced off the post denying Mons a 3rd goal. Just when it looked like it was all over, Whelan would provide the drama again.

Just after the 4th official held up the board indicating that there would be 3 minutes of time added, Colin Fortune headed in the direction of the United goal. His thunderous shot hit off Whelan’s hand and although the referee indicated that the game should continue he was soon surrounded by protesting players from Athlone. The assistant referee was furiously waving his flag and referee Sutton went over to discuss the matter with his colleague. Sutton then pointed to the spot and it was the United player’s turn to be outraged. Barry Burke was given his marching orders and a 10 man United watched Ian Rossiter place the ball on the spot.

Rossiter’s penalty was saved by the savvy Rouse but it fell to Rossiter’s feet and he took the rebounded shot well bringing Athlone level once more.

Two much needed points were lost in the dying seconds of the game damaging United’s chances of securing the 5th place in the league.

Athlone Town: Kelly, Rossiter, Casey, Sheridan, McCarthy, Hardy, Russo (O'Dowd 66), Byrne, Lavine, McGee (Hamm 81), Heffernan (Fortune 39).

Monaghan United: Woods (Rouse h/t), Whelan, Williamson, Fitzpatrick, Mooney, Tierney, Cousins (Burke 65), Byrne, Farrell, Meenan, Gannon.