Published: Wednesday, 21st April, 2010 5:00pm

Athlone Town face first meeting with midland rivals this season

THE first Midlands derby of the League of Ireland season takes place this weekend when Athlone Town entertain near rivals Longford Town at Lissywoollen (Saturday, 7.30pm).

Although Athlone have been struggling to score goals lately, netting just three times in the opening seven matches, their defensive resilience and all-round organisation has helped them to a very solid start to the 2010 campaign, with only one defeat to their name and ten points in the bag.

Longford, meanwhile, have experienced a patchy start to the season under new manager Tony Cousins, taking three less points than Athlone from the opening seven matches.

Athlone recorded a third successive scoreless draw in the league last weekend, coming away from Ballybofey with a share of the spoils against Finn Harps, while Cathal Brady's late strike gave Longford a hard-earned 2-1 win over Mervue Utd at Flancare Park.

Athlone boss Brendan Place was singing the praises of his players' efforts this week, saying the attitude and resilience they've shown since the start of the season makes him proud.

"I have to say I'm absolutely delighted with the effort of the lads, they're working tremendously hard, and are becoming very difficult to play against," Place said ahead of Saturday's derby clash.

"We're beginning to get a reputation around the league as being very resilient and organised, and for having a no-nonsense attitude, while still trying to play football at the right times. Though it's still very early days for this team, I'm proud of the way they've organised themselves this season, and I'm delighted with the way we're coming along. I was pleased with the performance against Finn Harps and a bit disappointed we didn't get a win. Our defensive record is excellent at the moment but that can change very quickly if you don't continue doing the right things. I've no real worries about our current lack of goals. We're creating chances and I think it's only a matter of time before we start taking them," Place added.

Athlone's regular front pairing of Robbie Farrell and Austin Skelly have only a single goal between them in seven league games - Skelly's strike against Salthill Devon on the opening day of the season - but both are contributing fairly well at present to the team's performances.

Hence, for the moment, Brendan Place seems reluctant to introduce last season's top scorer Noel McGee from the start, but McGee was unlucky not to net after replacing Farrell after the hour mark last Saturday.

Place said: "Hopefully, this will be the week when we find the net again. You have to remember where we're coming from, too. We were a side that leaked far too many goals last season, and very soft goals at times. We've made ourselves difficult to play against and you have to have a solid defence. Hopefully, we can maintain the same level of performance in defence, keep working very hard as a team, and hopefully our fortunes will turn in front of goal, as I'm sure they will."

Athlone have a couple of selection problems ahead of Saturday's game against Longford, with midfielder Gareth Kenna definitely ruled out. Kenna, who began the campaign in impressive style, is currently nursing a knee injury picked up three weeks' ago against Monaghan Utd.

And although Kenna made an appearance from the bench in last Tuesday week's League Cup defeat at UCD (1-0), his knee is still causing considerable discomfort.

Regardless of his injury, Kenna must also serve a two-game suspension, starting this weekend, which was imposed for his sending off against Monaghan.

Defender Brian McCarthy also sustained a swollen knee against Finn Harps and had to be substituted on the hour mark.

However, Place is confident about his possible availability this weekend, saying: "Brian showed the determination that exists within the squad when he played on against Finn Harps, despite picking up the injury during the first half.

His knee was inflamed but we're hopeful it will settle down during the week and he'll be okay for Saturday."

Young left winger Tom O'Halloran is also unavailable due to a knee injury.

Longford, meanwhile, could have up to four former Athlone players in their side, including three who turned out for Athlone last season (Aaron Shanahan, Mark Salmon and Niall O'Reilly).