MONS LOSE OUT TO TOWN
Despite starting out the livelier of the two sides and having some early chances Monaghan United suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of old foes Athlone Town at Kingspan Century Park last Friday night in the FAI eircom League of Ireland First Division.
The first half was a quiet enough affair with not too many chances after the initial flurry which had seen Darren Meenan display his usual fancy footwork and resilience to round the Athlone defence but there was no one waiting for his delivery and the move petered out.
New Local hero, Carrickmacross’ James Hand was the next to create an opportunity when a long ball came in but he wasn’t able to get to it before the Athlone keeper. Athlone got into their stride quickly though and soon started to push forward and the game slowed considerably after that.
Eoin Lanigan came closest to get his name on the scoreboard when he ran after a long ball that had beaten the athlone defence but Goalie Ciaran Kelly got to it before Lanigan could do any damage.
United had a succession of corners but Kelly stayed strong in the Athlone goal and neither Hand or Meenan were to be successful with their corners.
Athlone had some chances and Brendan Kennedy was called upon to keep the ball out when he was forced to dive on an incoming ball. An Athlone free kick was subsequently easily scooped up by Kennedy keeping the scoreline at 0-0.
United were the side looking most likely to score and when Meenan took a free kick and found Hand the fans were ecstatic but Hand’s volley was sent over the bar.
Once more however, United were pushed to the wire and Brian Gartland saved Mons when he managed to get a ball out after Ian Malone had given away a free to Eric Lavine. United turned it and came back up the pitch and Lanigan had only the keeper to beat but was unable to round him and shoot and Kelly scooped it up.
As United seemed to find their stride Hand passed lovely ball from middle of the field to Lanigan but Lanigan was harried off the ball managing to win a corner. Meenan took the corner and sent a long ball in to the box where Wayne Byrne used his height advantage to get a head to the ball but the Kelly was prepared and caught it.
Gartland gave away a chance to Lavine but United managed to clear and head back up the pitch. Lanigan took this chance but his shot was caught by the goalie easily.
United won a free just outside of the Athlone half. Mooney took and ball came off Hand’s head before being cleared. Athlone then won a throw but soon United had the ball back with a throw at their disposal. United swiftly won another throw and were back in Athlone’s half looking for goal but the ball was soon sent down the pitch again with Athlone looking the more likely to score. The ball was cleared however and United went on the attack only for Athlone to pingpong the ball back up the pitch.
The first half finished with a disappointing 0-0 on the scoreboard.
In the 2nd half United had to defend quickly as Athlone came out fighting. United did well and won a free which took them back up the pitch.
Athlone’s determination reaped rewards and they went a goal up in the 48th minute thanks to Colm Jinks and a mistake from the Mons defence. Brendan Kennedy was at other side of goal mouth when ball snuck across the line when Jinks connected with a Hamm cross.
United found their fighting spirit and came back at them and Meenan found the back of the net to equalise 4 mins later. Lanigan had set Meenan up with a low cross in which Meenan was able to slide past the goalie.
Athlone took the equaliser well and had another good chance when Lavine sent a pounding shot in and hit the cross bar. United were not to be outdone so early in the half and Meenan almost got a brace when his well struck shot went just wide of the target.
Don Tierney came close for United but his shot went over the bar as Mons struggled with their finishing. United had another scare when a crowded goal mouth made it difficult for Kennedy to see what was happening and Athlone looked like they would score. Mons somehow managed to get the ball out of danger.
Rossiter scored for Athlone in the 74th minute with a well struck volley that rattled the top of the net to put the Town in front once more.
United struggled to get back on top of the game but still managed to find their way through the Athlone defence on occasion. Goalie Kelly worked hard to save an incoming ball and sent the ball back up the pitch where Kennedy was lucky to watch the ball go out around the side of the post.
United renewed their attack on goal as they tried to claw the game back. Ex-Mon Jason McCartney will be kicking himself for missing against his former team when Kennedy was well off his line with no way back but McCartney scorched the ball over.
United had another few chances as the game wound down and Athlone’s keeper had his work cut out for him. He plucked one such punt out of the sky on the line as Cooke’s men tried to maintain their unbeaten at home status for the season so far.
This was not to be however and the score stayed 2-1 to Athlone when the final whistle sounded.
