Published: Wednesday, 25th August, 2010 5:00pm

Athlone end winless streak with victory over Mervue

Athlone Town 1 Mervue Utd 0

ATHLONE Town finally ended their long search for a league win when Andy Haran capped his home debut with the decisive goal in this basement battle at Lissywoollen on Saturday.

Haran, who also netted within a minute of his debut the previous week, struck again in the 61st minute to give Athlone a hard-fought victory that didn't look likely after Mervue played the better stuff in the opening half.

Athlone improved during the second half though, with midfielder Denis Moran driving the Town forward at every opportunity, and Haran's strike gave the Town a first league win in ten outings.

It was only Athlone's fifth win of the season (from 24 games), and their first since beating Cork City away in late May, but is probably enough to ensure they don't get sucked into a relegation scrap with fellow strugglers Salthill Devon (who are bottom) and Mervue Utd.

Haran - recently signed from St Pat's and who enjoyed a very productive loan spell at Monaghan Utd a couple of seasons ago - replaced Robbie Farrell at half-time in the previous week's game against Salthill, and only needed a minute to score on that occasion.

His performance against Salthill earned him the right to start here, taking Farrell's place, while midfielder Gareth Kenna (also a used sub against Salthill) made his first start since getting injured against Monaghan Utd in the fifth game of the campaign.

Kenna's return was a welcome one too, with the former Dublin Bus man adding calm and composure to Athlone's midfield.

Kenna was taking Jason Hughes' place, with the on-loan Limerick midfielder suffering with a knee injury.

Both Declan 'Fabio' O'Brien and Dave Breen made their home debuts, while left-back Eoghan O'Shea and current leading goalscorer (with seven goals) Austin Skelly were both suspended.

Defender Des Hope also returned to the squad after missing two games through injury, but somewhat surprisingly local favourite Niall Scullion and powerful centre-back Paddy Collins were excluded from the match-day 16.

In the build-up to the game, Athlone's official website suggested Mervue would play a largely long-ball game, and seek to use the physical attributes of Rory Gaffney in a lone forward role.

However, some of Mervue's football in the opening 15 minutes was excellent, with Gaffney constantly probing from the wings, and central midfielder Simon Walsh also impressing.

In the early stages, Athlone struggled to get to grips with Mervue's central midfield pairing of Walsh and veteran Ollie Keogh, and the visitors really should have been ahead during this period of complete domination.

On six minutes, the hugely impressive Gaffney tested Athlone'keeper Michael Schlingermann with a drive from just outside the box, which Schlingermann held at the second attempt.

Gaffney also possesses a useful long-throw and Athlone were failing to deal with this weapon during the opening exchanges.

The Town dithered in defence when Gaffney delivered one such exocet in the eighth minute and Evan Connolly headed over the bar when he should've done better.

Mervue looked far brighter than their hosts, but Athlone should've taken the lead on the counter attack in the 11th minute.

Kenna's clever through pass left Haran bearing down on goal and he looked certain to score after rounding Mervue netminder Ger Hanley. However, Haran couldn't finish off a bright move and struck the ball into the side netting.

Mervue regained their grip almost immediately, with Gaffney rattling the crossbar with a brilliant free kick in the 14th minute.

Gaffney then crossed for Dave Goldbey but he couldn't direct his header on target.

Brian McCarthy was then booked for hauling Goldbey down on the edge of the box, after a misplaced defensive header by Wayne Colbert, and from the resulting free kick Schlingermann had to beat away another good effort by Gaffney.

Athlone finally began to find some rythym around the half hour mark.

Declan O'Brien crossed for Ryan McEvoy but his well-struck volley was too close to Hanley, before O'Brien himself lobbed narrowly over the bar after shrugging off the attention of defender Martin Conneely.

Former Athlone left-back Darren Young saw yellow for Mervue in the 33rd minute for fouling Shane Fitzgerald on the right touchline. Kenna delivered the resulting free kick deep to the far post but Denis Moran could only direct a difficult header into the side netting.

Haran was beginning to find clever positions in Athlone's attack and he set up O'Brien for a strike in the 36th minute, but the former Drogheda Utd star's effort was always rising marginally too high.

Athlone were still suffering a few nervy moments in defence, and were fortunate when Goldbey blazed high and wide after a rare mistake by the assured Dave Breen.

Gaffney tried his luck with another free kick two minutes before half-time, after Colbert was adjudged to have fouled Keogh, but his 20-yard effort curled over Schlingermann's crossbar.

Gaffney had one final attempt to break Athlone's resistance before the interval, tearing past Colbert down the left wing and into Athlone's penalty area. However, his cross - searching for Goldbey at the back post - was too close to Schlingermann.

The balance of power swung dramatically in the second half, with Athlone looking far livelier and hungry for goals.

Moran and Kenna began to exert more influence in midfield, with right-winger Fitzgerald also contributing well. Mervue had more or less given up been an attacking force, and Haran and O'Brien were also starting to link-up well up front for Athlone.

Haran struck the crossbar within three minutes of the restart and then the tigerish Moran saw his 30-yard volley fly wide, before Athlone made the breakthrough on 61 minutes.

McEvoy's poor corner kick was only partially cleared by Mervue and Haran lashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net.

Moran sent over a great cross but McEvoy's well-timed volley was parried clear by Hanley, and Kenna teed up Moran for another effort that curled narrowly over the crossbar.

Athlone now deserved more goals and O'Brien was inches away in the 68th minute after a neat interchange of passes with Fitzgerald.

Ollie Keogh received the game's third booking just before his withdrawal on 74 minutes, as Brendan Place also chose to substitute O'Brien with Robbie Farrell.

Athlone retreated somewhat during the closing stages, with midfielder Kenna understandably becoming tired, but Mervue didn't have enough guile to carve them open, with the vastly experienced Dave Breen commanding matters at the back for Athlone.

Schlingermann did have to go full-length to push clear another free kick by Gaffney, but Athlone could've added to their tally in the 90th minute but Farrell fluffed his lines after capitalising on a weak defensive header by Conneely.

With the FAI Cup in action this coming weekend, Athlone's next league game is not until Saturday week (September 4) against Cork City at Lissywoollen (7.30pm).

Athlone Town: Michael Schlingermann; Wayne Colbert, Mark Nolan, Dave Breen, Brian McCarthy, Denis Moran, Shane Fitzgerald, Gareth Kenna, Declan O'Brien, Andy Haran, Ryan McEvoy. Subs: Robbie Farrell for O'Brien (75 mins), Richie O'Hanlon for Fitzgerald (81), Des Hope for Kenna (86).

Mervue Utd: Ger Hanley; Kevin Crehan, Darren Young, Martin Conneely, Eric Browne, Ollie Keogh, Rory Gaffney, Simon Walsh, Dave Goldbey, Evan Connolly, Alex Lee. Subs: Mark Ludden for Young (58 mins), Enda Curran for Lee (66), Barry McEntee for Keogh (74).

Referee: Sean Grant.

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