Charlie Austin scored QPR's second goal in their friendly victory against Athlone Town on Tuesday.

Athlone Town perform admirably against Premier League stars


Mid-Season Friendly

Athlone Town 0

Queen’s Park Rangers 2

Kevin O’Neill

THERE was no Rio Ferdinand or Richard Dunne in the QPR line-up, as Athlone Town entertained the English Premier League side in front of approximately 2,800 spectators at Lissywollen on Tuesday evening.

The absence of said players was the only minor disappointment for local soccer fans, who turned-out in good numbers to watch this entertaining friendly encounter, as Harry Redknapp’s side defeated a spirited and well-organised Athlone team thanks to goals by Bobby Zamora and Charlie Austin.

QPR, with Joey Barton pulling the strings from midfield, produced an assured and professional display to see-off their plucky opponents. The vastly experienced Redknapp, however, will be fully aware that his side still needs strengthening ahead of a tough Premier League campaign.

Athlone, for their part, can take heart from a resilient display against high-quality opponents, who disposed of Shamrock Rovers, 4-0, a few days earlier.

Athlone fielded a much weakened side from the one usually seen in Airtricity League action, with many fringe players - including local lad Ian Sweeney - starting the match. Sweeney was one of a few Athlone players to play very well, with the captain Alan Byrne the Town’s stand-out performer for the way he helped contain the R’s attack. Mark Hughes and Eric Foley also performed impressively.

Despite the absence of Ireland international Dunne and former Man Utd hero Ferdinand, QPR still fielded a very strong side, with Barton, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Steven Caulker among the most well-known players.

Zamora - who scored the priceless goal to win promotion to the Premier League for QPR - opened the scoring in the 13th minute. Foley, playing as a makeshift centre-back in the first half, misjudged the flight of Caulker’s ball forward and Zamora lashed a shot past Ryan Coulter in the Athlone goal. Byrne made a valiant effort to block Zamora’s strike but the former West Ham and Spurs striker made no mistake from about 12 yards.

Wright-Phillips, Junior Hoilett and Austin all went close to adding to QPR’s lead before half-time. In a rare forward foray for Athlone, Sean Brennan had the ball in the QPR net on 36 minutes, but was rightly adjudged to have handled the ball before taking it around Irishman Brian Murphy in the R’s goal.

Athlone continued to battle manfully in the second half, as Kealan Dillon added further quality to their midfield. Coulter saved well from Hoilett before Austin doubled the lead with a fine curled effort following an intricate Rangers move.

Austin almost repeated the feat with nine minutes left but Byrne made a sublime goal-line clearance. Austin and Caulker had further chances as the game reached its conclusion but couldn’t add to the visitors tally.

QPR host the Greek side PAOK at Loftus Road in their final pre-season run-out, before the Premier League season kicks-off against Hull City on August 16. Athlone’s return to SSE Airtricity League Premier Division action on Friday, away to Sligo Rovers (The Showgrounds, 7.45pm).

Athlone Town: Ryan Coulter; Dylan Hayes, Stephen Dunne, Alan Byrne, Eric Foley, Mark Hughes, Thomas Mulroney, Dean Ebbe, Sean Brennan, Sam O’Connor, Ian Sweeney. Subs Used: Kealan Dillon, Derek Prendergast, Philly Gorman, Derek Doyle, James O’Brien, Ryan Gaffey, Dean Mahon (GK).

QPR: Brian Murphy; Danny Simpson, Steven Caulker, Nedum Onuoha, Clint Hill, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Joey Barton, Karl Henry, Junior Hoilett, Bobby Zamora, Charlie Austin. Sub Used: Alejandro Faurlin.

Referee: Ray Matthews.