Published: Wednesday, 24th March, 2010 5:00pm

Athlone knock local rivals Longford out of cup again

by Matt Scally

Athlone Town 1 Longford Town 0

Last year at Lissywollen, a second-half strike from Stephen Place set Athlone on their way to a league-cup victory over neighbours and rivals Longford Town. On Monday night, he repeated the trick as his 48th minute header sent Athlone on their way to a third 1-0 victory of the year and into the first round proper of the League Cup.

Despite it being a derby game, the 90 minutes served up by both teams were far from enthralling. The first half, in particular, was as dull a half as one is likely to see with only one shot on target in the whole 45 minutes. Thankfully the second-half was an improvement with Place's early goal giving something for the 236 souls in Lissywollen to get excited about. It was a lead that the home side never really looked like surrendering, despite Longford giving them a few nervy moments.

Athlone lined out with a much-changed side (nine changes in all) from Saturday's 1-1 draw with Cork City. Michael Schlingerman made his competitive debut in goal while the experienced duo of Des Hope and Stephen Caffrey were joined at the back by full-backs Shane O'Connell and Ronan Stack. Niall Scullion made his first start of the season on the right wing, as did Stephen Relihan and Kevin Dunne in the middle of the park, while Kevin Williamson retained his place out on the left. Up front, the hard working Stephen Place was joined by Gordon Watson.

There was still no starting place, however, for crowd-favourite Noel McGee. But he did come on for the injured Scullion on 65 minutes and, in his 25-minute cameo, last year's top scorer certainly showed enough skill, link-up play and work-rate to suggest that a starting place is warranted.

The man he replaced, however, was undoubtedly Athlone's top performer on the night. Despite being withdrawn with a leg injury on 65 minutes, Scullion was a constant threat going forward, whilst working tirelessly to get back and help out Stack at right-full. His assist for Place's goal was befitting of his performance and it was a shame that his night had to be cut short.

On the other flank, Williamson too showed a willingness to get on the ball on the ball and, despite taking too much out of it at times, put in a pretty good shift. In centre midfield, the pairing of Relihan and Dunne didn't look too out of place nor did Kevin Quinn when introduced. Quinn, in fact, showed some nice touches around the middle and ended up having a fine game.

In a half with very little goalmouth incident, it was Athlone who carved out the first opportunity after three minutes. Skipping past his man down the right flank, Scullion got to the by-line before chipping the ball into the box. There, the unmarked Kevin Williamson got his head to the ball but his effort was weak and straight at Stephen Conlon in the Longford goal.

Longford carved out a half-chance of their own on 11 minutes, when Thomas Hyland was played in behind the Athlone defence. But the central midfielder seemed in two minds as whether to shoot or cross and his eventual effort was smothered easily by Schlingerman.

A massive lull in play ensued with Fiachra McArdle's wayward shot for Longford the only effort on goal in the next half hour of play. Meanwhile Des Hope had limped off - a worry ahead of Friday's trip north to the Brandywell - and was replaced by Kevin Quinn, with Kevin Dunne moving to centre-half.

On 43 minutes, an in-swinging ball from Longford's Derek Tyrell afforded Mark Salmon the opportunity to head unchallenged at the Athlone goal, but he headed tamely into the goalkeeper's arms.

With the visitors enjoying a brief spell before the break, they thought they had taken the lead a minute into stoppage-time when Salmon fizzed a shot across the Athlone goal. Schlingerman got his hands to the shot but fumbled right into the path of Dave Freeman, who gratefully slammed the ball to the net only to see it ruled out for offside.

If there was one thing this game needed, and needed badly, it was a goal. And with just three minutes of the second half elapsed, we got one.

After being released down the right wing by a superb ball over the top by Stack, Scullion then got to the by-line before standing up a perfect ball to the unmarked Stephen Place. From six yards he couldn't miss and although Conlon got a hand to it, the back of the net rippled and Athlone had the lead.

On 58 minutes, Longford nearly found an equaliser when Thomas Hyland hit a rasping shot goalward from outside the area. But Schlingerman was well positioned to tip the ball acrobatically on to the bar and over. Longford continued to enjoy a brief spell of dominance and when a Victor Ekanem corner was met with a thumping header by substitute Peter Hynes, Schlingerman was beaten but Stack was alert on the line to clear the danger.

With six minutes, remaining the game really should have been dead and buried. A lovely cushioned header from Gordon Watson found McGee in the penalty-area. He chipped a lovely ball over the last Longford defender to Williamson, who only had the 'keeper to beat. But his first touch took him slightly too wide and Conlon was able to block his effort.

With time almost up and with gaps appearing in the Longford defence, Kevin Quinn attempted an audacious chip over the 'keeper from outside the box. But Conlon did well to pull off a finger-tip save at the last second. Derek Tyrell had Longford's final effort on goal, a wayward header from a John Lester free-kick, and with that went Longford's last chance.

Town will now travel to Belfield to face UCD in the first round proper with the winners of that facing an attractive tie at home to Shamrock Rovers. For now though the win against Longford will have to do - and a win over Longford is always nice.

Athlone Town: Michael Schlingerman, Ronan Stack, Shane O'Connell, Stephen Caffrey, Des Hope, Niall Scullion, Stephen Relihan, Kevin Dunne, Kevin Williamson, Stephen Place, Gordon Watson. SUBS: Kevin Quinn for D. Hope (33'), Noel McGee for N. Scullion (65'), Garvan Broughall for S. Place (79').

Longford Town: Stephen Conlon, Victor Ekanem, Gary Cronin, Derek Tyrell, Chris Deans, Thomas Hyland, Mark Salmon, Ryan McEvoy, Dave Freeman, Fiachra McArdle, J.P. McDonagh. SUBS: Peter Hynes for D. Freeman (HT), John Lester for C. Deans (60'), Derek Glynn for F. McArdle (68').

Referee: C. Fitzgerald.

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