Published: Thursday, 8th July, 2010 5:00pm

Corcoran treble sees Shels outgun Town in goal fest

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Shelbourne 6 Athlone Town 3

A second-half hat-trick from Shelbourne front-man Dinny Corcoran proved to be the difference as Athlone succumbed to defeat in an entertaining, goal-laden league encounter at Tolka Park on Friday evening.

The Town had looked in an excellent position when they led going in at the break, but a sterling second-half showing from the Reds' means that caretaker boss Colin O'Neill will now stand a great chance of getting the manager's job on a permanent basis.

Brendan Place's men - without defenders Des Hope and Mark Nolan - made a positive start to the game with new signing Dean Marshall looking extremely lively on the right-wing. Shelbourne did settle eventually though, and star man David McAllister carved up a couple of openings that had the Athlone rearguard on their toes.

When the two sides faced each other in this venue last year, it finished in a scoreless draw, as Athlone put up a brave resistance to keep the North Dublin side at bay. At this early point, it looked like this encounter would be in much the same vein, but then Athlone came up with the goods from nowhere on 13 minutes, when Kevin Williamson's ball into the area was pulled across goal by Robbie Benson for his strike partner Gordon Watson, who finished coolly with a header from ten yards.

This came as a massive blow to Shelbourne, who came into this game needing three points that might re-ignite their promotion bid, and they suddenly found themselves in a position where they had to chase the game.

Their initial response was rather good as they started to gather a good deal of possession again. Athlone were battling well in the middle of the park during this period, however, and the expectant bombardment of Chris Bennion's goal wasn't quite materialising.

Nevertheless, there was always the possibility of a threat whenever Shels' got into the final-third, and they would level up proceedings on 29 minutes when Sean Byrne's low drive from 25 yards crept into the bottom right-hand corner of the Athlone net. Bennion will probably feel like he should have got a touch to the shot, but it was a powerful drive from the left-back regardless.

As a consequence of this goal, Shels' started to get on top again, but it was looking likely that the sides would go in level at the break.

This proved not to be the case though, as Athlone regained the lead with two first-half minutes remaining when a brilliant cross from the right by full-back Niall Scullion was headed back into the area by Tom O'Halloran for Watson to nod home his second of the evening.

The much-maligned Watson has now bagged three goals for Athlone in his last two outings, and should be a striker brimming with confidence ahead of the visit of Finn Harps to Lissywoollen on Saturday.

Watson's second goal meant Athlone held a surprise 2-1 lead as John Grimes' half-time whistle blew, and Shels' had it all to do if they were to get back into the game. They had the best possible start to the second half when David McAllister's free-kick from the left was headed home by former Kildare County man Philip Gorman.

This goal put a whole new perspective on the tie, as Athlone would have been hoping to keep their opponents at bay for the remainder, whereas Shels' now had the incentive to attack for a winning goal, as opposed to an equalising one.

After this goal, there was only really one team in the game, and it seemed like only a matter of time before Shels' would take the lead.

Colin O'Brien forced a good save from Bennion on 62 minutes, before the impressive Adelberto Pinto and Dinny Corcoran also went close, the latter's shot being tipped onto the crossbar by Bennion.

Eventually, though, Shels' did breach the stern Athlone defence, as Corcoran powered home from a McAllister corner. This opened the floodgates for the home side, as Corcoran got his second just a minute later when he lashed home from a through ball on the right.

Just like a week previous against Monaghan, Athlone were now coming apart in the closing stages.

Indeed, more chances would follow, as centre-half Ian Ryan hit the underside of the bar from an O'Brien delivery.

Athlone did their best to try and salvage something from the game, but it was really beyond them at this stage, and Corcoran completed his hat-trick with three minutes remaining with yet another header from close-range.

Athlone were very much ripe for picking at this stage, but they did pull a goal back a minute into stoppage time with a goal from Stephen Relihan after a fine delivery by substitute Austin Skelly.

This looked like it would put some gloss on the scoreline for Athlone, but Shels' came back for more, as Pinto rounded off an accomplished performance with a goal from close-in.

Next up for Athlone is a home encounter against Finn Harps, when they will be hoping to get their league form back on track following three games without a win.

SHELBOURNE: Dean Delaney; Ray Scully, Ian Ryan, Michael Coburn, Sean Byrne; David McGill, Adelberto Pinto, David Cassidy, Colin O'Brien; Dinny Corcoran, Philip Gorman.

ATHLONE TOWN: Chris Bennion; Niall Scullion, Shane O'Connell, Stephen Caffrey, Brian McCarthy, Stephen Relihan, Dean Marshall, Kevin Williamson, Gordon Watson, Robbie Benson, Tom O'Halloran. Subs: Richie O'Hanlon for Benson (57 mins), Austin Skelly for Marshall (69), Eoghan O'Shea for Caffrey (77).

REFEREE: John Grimes.