Published: Wednesday, 12th May, 2010 5:00pm

Athlone Town fall to first home defeat of the season

by Kevin O'Neill

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Athlone Town 1 Limerick FC 3

TWO injury time goals condemned an injury-hit and drastically off-form Athlone Town to a first home defeat of the season against an impressive Limerick side at Lissywoollen last Saturday.

Even though it took until the dying embers of the game for Pat Scully's well-oiled Limerick to clinch the points, this scenario doesn't tell the full story of a game the visitors controlled throughout, and should have had wrapped up long before lively young midfielder Jeffrey Judge, and the all-action Daryl Kavanagh, netted in the 91st and 94th minutes.

Prior to Limerick's late double goal swoop, Athlone had taken an undeserved lead into the break, when Limerick right-back Sean Kelly turned the ball into his own net.

A sprightly Limerick equalised just after the restart though, and an Athlone side missing the influential Des Hope, Gareth Kenna and Austin Skelly, made little impact thereafter, as Limerick did all the pressing for a fully merited win.

After a somewhat peculiar week for Athlone - which saw them clinch an encouraging draw away to Waterford Utd last Tuesday (0-0) while also releasing talented local players Kevin Dunne and Noel McGee - a shortage of strength in depth in the Town's squad was exposed here.

Rookie striker Gordon Watson, making only his second start of the season, was asked to lead the line alongside the disappointing Robbie Farrell, but that duo were completely subdued by Limerick's commanding central defensive pairing of the immense Pat Purcell and sidekick Declan Cahill.

Due to Des Hope's injury, Stephen Caffrey was moved to centre-back, and Stephen Place - a striker by trade - filled in at midfield.

Ireland underage international Robbie Benson shrugged off a groin problem to start alongside Place, and, once again, Benson proved Athlone's main attacking threat, constantly looking for probing through-passes to release either Farrell or Watson, neither of whom could provide Athlone with any genuine purpose or threat up front.

On the evidence of this performance, Limerick are certainly are a finely-tuned side, and must be complimented on a very good overall display, while this reporter has yet to see a poor Pat Scully team since he first managed in the league.

Victory moved Limerick to fourth place in the table, while Athlone remain in seventh spot, after accumulating only three more points than they had at this stage last season.

There's no doubt Athlone, barring this very disappointing display, seem a more compact unit this season, and seven clean sheets in the previous ten outings prove that, while the addition of a few more experienced players seemed to initially bring optimism that a far better season lay in store.

However, Athlone supporters will now be growing slightly anxious after going three games without a win, especially after their usually solid defence was breached five times in total against Wexford Youths and Limerick.

Injuries to key players through the spine of the team have certainly not helped Athlone in recent weeks, with their squad now looking extremely lightweight and stretched, but nothing less than six points over the next two games, against strugglers Salthill Devon and Mervue Utd, will be acceptable.

Also, the nature of Limerick's second and all-important goal was very worrying. Mark Nolan conceded a needless free kick near the endline in the 91st minute, but Athlone immediately struggled to defend the situation. No defensive wall was placed in front of deadly set-piece deliverer Martin Deady, which in itself was inviting trouble. As a result of this slack defensive lapse, Deady had the straight-forward task of simply dinking the ball onto the head of the totally unmarked Jeffrey Judge - one of the smallest players on the field - to head home from six yards.

Limerick went on to add a third goal through Kavanagh, as Athlone became increasingly ragged in the aftermath of Judge's late blow.

Limerick left-back Martin Deady swung over a succession of dangerous set-piece deliveries during the first half, and both Brian McCarthy and Stephen Caffrey were overworked in Athlone's defence.Chris Bennion had to make a fine save to deny Kavanagh in the 26th minute after a defensive lapse from Watson.

Only on rare occasions did Athlone look threatening going forward. On 39 minutes, Place and Kevin Williamson broke up a Limerick attack, with the latter finding Benson in space in midfield. Benson proceeded to slot a lovely weighted pass into Watson's stride, but the inexperienced forward hesitated, and Sean Kelly got back to snuff out a great opening for Watson.

Athlone took the lead against the run of play on 42 minutes when Benson's low cross was turned past his own 'keeper by Kelly, and the Town had a narrow lead at the interval.

Limerick introduced new signing, former Coventry City and Cardiff City midfielder Willie Boland, but his debut lasted just 14 minutes, the 34-year-old having to leave the field prematurely due to a back complaint.

But Limerick were on level terms at that stage, Cahill heading home a Deady corner kick on 47 minutes, as Athlone began the second half in sluggish fashion.

And Limerick always looked more likely to score again. McCarthy made a terrific interception on 70 minutes, denying Stephen Hickey a clear run at goal. Athlone had a let-off when Limerick's attackers failed to react to a superb ball across the six-yard box by Kavanagh, who was a constant thorn in the side for Athlone's left-back Eoghan O'Shea.

Athlone's wingers were virtually anonymous, and although Stephen Place's effort and commitment in midfield could not be faulted, there was a desperate lack of quality in Athlone's attempts to maintain any sort of possession.

As most observers had settled for a share of the spoils, something Athlone would have been grateful for, Limerick struck with a double-salvo late on. Firstly, Judge headed home from close range after Deady's pinpoint delivery, before Kavanagh waltzed through a couple of Athlone tackles to make it 3-1 in the 94th minute.

A tough ending to the game for Athlone - but one they couldn't argue with.

ATHLONE TOWN: Chris Bennion; Mark Nolan, Eoghan O'Shea, Stephen Caffrey, Brian McCarthy, Stephen Place, Richie O'Hanlon, Robbie Benson, Robbie Farrell, Gordon Watson, Kevin Williamson. Subs: Niall Scullion for O'Hanlon (72), James Goggins for Williamson (87).

LIMERICK: Dave Ryan; Sean Kelly, Martin Deady, Declan Cahill, Pat Purcell, Peter White, Daryl Kavanagh, Jeffrey Judge, Stephen Hickey, John Tierney, Shane Tracy. Subs: Willie Boland for White (45), Thomas Lyons for Boland (59), Nigel Stanley for Cahill (67).

REFEREE: Keith Callinan.