Athlone host Cork with extra confidence after weekend victory
by Tadhg Carey Updated: Wednesday, 7th September, 2011 5:31pm
Fresh from their first victory in five games, Athlone Town prepare for the visit of Cork City this Saturday (kick off 7.30pm) with renewed optimism.
Although Cork City are currently joint second in the table and in contention for a promotion play-off spot, Athlone Town assistant manager Padraig Moran believes Athlone can build on their victory in Galway last weekend.
He said he was satisfied with both the performance and the result against Salthill and Athlone can now look forward to the visit of Cork with increased confidence. "We have nothing to lose. We can go out and have a go at them and hopefully give them a bit of a scare," he told the Westmeath Independent this week.
In recent weeks, Moran has been stressing the need for Athlone to pick up victories over teams around them such as Finn Harps, Waterford and Salthill and he admits taking on Cork presents a totally different challenge.
Athlone are monitoring the fitness of keeper Brian Collopy and midfielder Kevin Williamson ahead of the clash but will be buoyed by the performance of striker Garry Higgins last weekend. Higgins was on the scoresheet against Salthill and the fleet-footed striker now appears back to his best after suffering repeated hamstring difficulties this season.
"He was different class on Saturday night. His movement, his running into space, everything was good. He could have had a hat trick and that has to be a big positive for us ahead of the Cork game."
Moran also paid tribute to a number of the younger players who returned to the squad against Salthill including Robbie Murray, Joe Woods, Roy King and Eoin Monaghan. Despite missing a first-minute penalty, Robbie Murray caught the eye with a performance described as "excellent" by Moran, who added that Joe Woods appeared back to his best at right back.
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