Athlone left Blue after smash and grab raid

FULL-time scorelines regularly provide accurate assessments of the preceding 90 minutes. However, there are exceptions to the rule, and when Athlone Town entertained fellow promotion play-off hopefuls Waterford Utd last Friday, the low attendance (approximately 150) witnessed such a scenario. Fourth-placed Athlone went into the game, following a three-week mid-season break, eager to jump above Waterford in the league table, but the visitors' superior guile in front of goal, largely inspired by the impressive Sean Maguire, proved the difference, as Athlone emerged with little to show at the final whistle despite enjoying large periods of domination. The final outcome was harsh on an Athlone side not lacking for spirit, effort or old-fashioned toil, but somewhat short on experience and killer instinct. Waterford though, couldn't be accused of lacking punch in the final third, as 18-year-old Sean Maguire led their assault on Athlone's goal, netting twice (both times against the run of play) in the second half. Peter White, with the aid of a deflection off Mark Sherlock, had given Waterford a first-half lead, before Maguire's 72nd minute goal. Substitute Noel McGee responded from the penalty spot for Athlone, but with the home side pushing forward with abandon late on, the visitors added two late goals. It was rough justice on a youthful Athlone, who must now bounce back immediately against strugglers SD Galway this Friday. Athlone made a single change (enforced) from the side that started the 2-1 win against Wexford before the break. Brian Gill served a suspension, so Kevin Williamson took his place. Athlone initially began well but Waterford slowly crept into matters, and created the first chance. Gary Keane and Ben Ryan combined to carve out a chance for Paul Phelan, but Pat Jennings, the Athlone goalkeeper, saved with his feet. The rebound fell kindly at the edge of the box for Peter White, but he blazed over. Athlone had the first of four penalty appeals on eight minutes when Sherlock's pass bounced up unkindly and seemed to strike Gary Dempsey's arm. On this occasion, referee Ray Matthews seemed correct to wave play on. On 15 minutes, clever play by Val Feeney, Williamson and Sherlock almost resulted in a chance for Athlone, but Williamson's low centre, directed at Ian Sweeney, was cleared by Dylan Mernagh. From the resulting corner, taken by Feeney, Sweeney could only direct a soft volley at visiting 'keeper Packie Holden. Sherlock was fractionally off-target with a lovely lobbed effort on 23 minutes, and his hold-up play was proving vital for the Town. It was at this stage that the game ignited for a brief period, with chances shared at either end. Maguire fired across the face of Athlone's goal, before Sherlock was unlucky not to pick out Sweeney with a cute backheel. Up the other end, Niall Scullion thwarted Keane's path to goal just outside Athlone's box, and referee Matthews deemed Scullion's tackle unfair, dishing out the game's first yellow card (a very harsh call), before Dempsey fired the resulting free-kick well over the bar. Feeney's lofted pass then picked out Sherlock, but he hesitated and Craig Burns cleared. Sherlock then did brilliantly to dispossess a hesitant Dave Breen, but his shot, from an acute angle, was pushed to safety by Holden. On 33 minutes, Waterford took a fortunate lead. Phelan's corner was headed goalwards by White, and the ball bounced off Sherlock and into the net. Breen appeared to foul Sherlock late in the half, and Athlone were adamant a penalty should've been given, but again the referee was disinterested. Athlone introduced McGee in the 51st minute and switched formation to 4-4-2. Almost immediately, McGee and Sweeney manufactured an opening for Sherlock, but he couldn't control the ball and Waterford cleared. Pressure was mounting on the visitors, who were content to play on the counter-attack. McGee's effort was blocked by Burns at the edge of the box; Sweeney was denied a penalty (after Mernagh's clumsy tackle); while Sweeney also crashed a free-kick into a defensive wall. Further good situations followed. Williamson and Feeney put together a fine move that ended with McGee failing to control on the stretch, before Sherlock headed Feeney's cross narrowly over. Feeney's corner then picked out Sweeney, unmarked at the far post, and his header was goalbound until Mernagh hacked it off the line. You felt it wasn't going to be Athlone's night when Waterford broke quickly in the 72nd minute and Maguire slammed the ball home from Keane's low delivery. However, Athlone fought back manfully. McGee was fouled in the area by Burns, and this time it was a penalty, with McGee sending Holden the wrong way to put Athlone back in business. McGee then volleyed over before Jason Hughes' effort was saved by Holden. However, Athlone couldn't draw level and Waterford made it 3-1 in the final minute, Peter Keegan tapping home after unselfish work by Phelan. Maguire's solo effort, three minutes into injury time, left Athlone well beaten at the end. Athlone Town: Pat Jennings; Joe Woods, Niall Scullion, Tommy Barrett, Brian McCarthy, Damien Rushe, Val Feeney, Jason Hughes, Ian Sweeney, Mark Sherlock, Kevin Williamson. Subs: Noel McGee for Rushe (51 mins), Sean Guerins for Sweeney (76), Ethan Keogh for Feeney (85). Waterford Utd: Packie Holden; Paul Carey, Dylan Mernagh, Craig Burns, Dave Breen, Gary Dempsey, Paul Phelan, Peter White, Ben Ryan, Sean Maguire, Gary Keane. Subs: Seamus Long for Breen (69 mins), Peter Keegan for Keane (80), Peter Higgins for Ryan (87). Referee: Ray Matthews.