Published: Wednesday, 14th July, 2010 5:00pm

Changed Athlone fail to overcome sending off blow

Athlone Town 0 Finn Harps 1

IT was change aplenty at Athlone Town during the course of last week.

With young starlets Robbie Benson and Tom O'Halloran departing for UCD after being offered scholarships, veteran Stephen Caffrey retiring, and the manager's younger brother, Stephen Place, also leaving, the Town had an unfamiliar look against fellow strugglers Finn Harps at Lissywoollen last Saturday.

Left winger Ciaran Maloney, signed from Cherry Orchard, came in for his debut, while recent acquisition from Sligo Rovers, Dean Marshall, made his first appearance at Lissywoollen.

Captain Chris Bennion continued between the posts, despite much speculation linking him with a move to a Premier Division club.

But unfortunately for Athlone followers, the end result was much the same as in recent times, with Athlone falling to a single goal defeat against a very disappointing Finn Harps, who struggled to press home their numerical advantage after Mark Nolan was sent off for Athlone in the 40th minute.

It was Nolan's second dismissal in two games, with the defender also getting himself sent off after the full-time whistle in the recent 4-4 draw against Monaghan Utd, and missing last weekend's defeat to Shelbourne through suspension as a result.

Although Athlone spent the entire second half at a numerical disadvantage, there was still very little between the sides in a game that Athlone were looking to recover from a 6-3 thumping at the hands of Shelbourne the previous week, and manager Brendan Place made four changes to his starting eleven; two of which were enforced after the departure of the outstanding Benson and O'Halloran.

In Benson's case, he has been the inspiration for much of Athlone's attacking play over the past season and a half, despite still been in his late teens, and the Town greatly missed his guile and football intelligence here.

Saturday's match was preceded by a minute silence in honour of former Town goalkeeper Anthony 'Jelly' Keenan, who passed away recently following a brave fight against illness, and also fellow Athlone natives Martin O'Gorman and Joe Seery.

Finn Harps, who began the game on level points with Athlone, started quickly, and Marc Brolly delivered a couple of good crosses that needed to be defended well by Brian McCarthy and Des Hope.

The incessant rainfall on Saturday made the surface slippery and treacherous at times, but the pitch held up quite well throughout proceedings.

Athlone debutant Ciaran Maloney almost made an instant impact on his debut, but his close range header, after a good cross by Niall Scullion, was touched over the bar by Harps player-manager James Gallagher.

Hope then had a free header from Marshall's resulting corner but directed his effort straight at Gallagher.

Both Marshall and Scullion were looking lively in the opening exchanges, but it was Athlone netminder Bennion who had to be on red alert in the 18th minute to make a fine double save from Kevin McHugh and then Tommy Bonner.

Scullion received the game's first yellow card - a harsh decision - for a foul on Bonner.

And then Bennion held well in the slippery conditions following a low drive by Matt Crossan.

But the game tilted in Harps' favour when Nolan was shown a straight red card for a tackle on McHugh.

Nolan's dismissal might have been somewhat harsh - perhaps a yellow card would have sufficed - but the full back's rugged and often reckless approach to tackling earlier in the game must have went against him after fouling McHugh.

Athlone, now playing with ten men, managed to see out the remaining five minutes of the opening half, although Bennion had to fingertip Oisin McMenamin's drive around the post, while Hope also had to make a last gasp tackle to prevent McHugh from shooting.

Brendan Place brought on Richie O'Hanlon for Maloney at the interval, with Scullion now filling in at right-back after Nolan's dismissal.

And Scullion almost created a great chance for Athlone within three minutes of the restart, racing down the right flank and crossing for Gordon Watson, whose effort at goal was blocked by Packie Mailey. The ball spun up for Marshall but he was sandwiched between Gallagher and Mailey. Athlone supporters appealed for a spot kick, more in hope than expectation, but referee Sean Grant waved play on.

O'Hanlon then wasted a great situation for Athlone. With Finn Harps caught short on numbers at the back, O'Hanlon picked the wrong option and squandered possession with Watson and Marshall in good supporting positions.

Generally, Athlone were holding their own, but the standard of fare and entertainment on offer for supporters was poor.

Athlone had a let-off on 59 minutes when McCarthy miscued a clearance, but Davitt Walsh's control was poor and Bennion gained possession.

Athlone were going through a spirited spell around the hour mark, and Watson - who netted three goals in his previous two outings - was unlucky with an ambitious shot on the turn.

The Town never looked a great threat in an attacking sense and evidently missed Benson's nous and skill, but Harps were also totally uninspiring against ten men.

Harps, who had Gary Whoriskey booked on 65 minutes, were dreadful in possession for the majority of the game, and had sloppy defending to thank for the winning goal on 74 minutes.

Substitute Stephen McLaughlin swung over a harmless looking cross from the right, but Scullion and Hope failed to deal with it, and the prolific McHugh nipped in to poke the ball past Bennion.

Two minutes later, McLaughlin almost doubled Harps' lead but shot over.

Athlone's top-scorer Austin Skelly was again surprisingly left on the bench and only introduced with twelve minutes remaining.

His through ball almost got Watson in on goal but Crossan timed his tackle to perfection.

Scullion made another marauding run at the heart of the Harps defence, but his brave efforts were eventually thwarted by James Doherty's tackle.

Kevin Williamson saw yellow for Athlone as the Town ran out of ideas, and as a result became more and more frustrated in the closing stages.

Harps had a couple of golden chances to double their advantage during injury time, but both Brolly and McLaughlin spurned brilliant chances.

Athlone Town: Chris Bennion; Mark Nolan, Eoghan O'Shea, Des Hope, Brian McCarthy, Stephen Relihan, Niall Scullion, Kevin Williamson, Dean Marshall, Gordon Watson, Ciaran Maloney. Subs: Richie O'Hanlon for Maloney (45 mins), Austin Skelly for Marshall (78), Dave O'Riordan for Relihan (89).

Finn Harps: James Gallagher; James Doherty, Gary Whoriskey, Matt Crossan, Michael Funston, Oisin McMenamin, Tommy Bonner, Davitt Walsh, Kevin McHugh, Marc Brolly. Subs: Stephen McLaughlin for McMenamin (71 mins).

Referee: Sean Grant.