McGauley header proves decisive

CENTRAL defender Thomas McGauley endeared himself to Athlone Town followers by grabbing an important winning goal against local rivals Longford Town at Flancare Park last Saturday evening. McGauley pounced to head home inside a crowded Longford six-yard box in the 18th minute to settle the first of two scheduled meetings of the local foes in the space of four days, with the sides also due to meet in the first round of the League Cup at Lissywoollen last night (Tuesday). Victory for Athlone was merited on their performance as they produced a far better display than against Wexford Youths the previous week. Three points maintained Athlone"s unbeaten run away from home this season and also inflicted a first home loss on Alan Gough"s Longford. Athlone sit in a respectable fifth position after accumulating ten points from the opening six fixtures and have a chance to build on this decent start to the campaign at home to out-of-sorts Finn Harps on Saturday (kick-off: 8pm). Athlone had some impressive performers on the night with Robbie Hamm, Des Hope and Thomas McGauley all producing the goods in defence, while "keeper Aaron Shanahan did enough to suggest the number one jersey will be his for the foreseeable future. There had been some concern in recent weeks about the netminder"s position, with neither Shanahan or John McGuinness impressing sufficiently over the opening weeks of the season. But Shanahan was in total command of his penalty area against Longford and dealt brilliantly with any high balls or crosses aimed at his goal. Elsewhere on the field, the hard-working Damien Rushe had another fine outing in midfield and youngster Robbie Benson can also be satisfied with his first start in an Athlone shirt. Noel McGee played alongside Stephen Place in a more routine 4-4-2 system and this gave Athlone a much better threat in the attacking sector of the field for longer periods. Brendan Place made three changes to the side which lost at home to Wexford with Aaron Shanahan taking over from McGuinness between the posts and Noel McGee returning from a suspension in place of Kieran O"Reilly. Kevin Williamson missed out with a back complaint so Robbie Benson started on the left side of midfield. Longford"s starting line-up contained six former Athlone players, including last season"s supporters player of the year Colm Jinks. It was clear from an early stage that Longford were hugely dependant on long balls and set-pieces, and looked for the height of Brian McCarthy from several set-plays. Athlone tried a much more considered approach and created several fine openings during the first half. However, Longford had the first sight of goal in the opening moments but Shanahan did well to push Adrian Murphy"s drive around the post. In the sixth minute, Robbie Hamm"s clever quick throw-in forged an opening of sorts for Emeka Onwubiko. His strike from outside the penalty area deflected off Jim Sheridan, looping over Alan Gough in the Longford goal but onto the roof of the net. From the resulting corner by Brian Cleary, Des Hope also went close but his header was cleared away for yet another corner which was claimed well by Alan Gough. Up the other end, Colm Jinks teed up midfield partner Stephen Gough but his dreadful shot from distance dribbled wide. Athlone then broke the deadlock in the 18th minute. Anthony Hayes, Robbie Hamm and Emeka Onwubiko were all involved as Athlone fashioned another corner kick. Brian Cleary delivered an excellent cross and Thomas McGauley came soaring in to crash a header into the net from six yards. Longford felt they deserved a penalty kick when Stephen Place appeared to handle a fierce shot by Jason McCartney, but referee Brendan Kelly waved play on. Shanahan was playing really well in the Athlone goal and confidently claimed a number of high balls and crosses to relieve any Longford pressure. Noel McGee created a good situation for Robbie Benson but he showed a bit of inexperience when drilling the ball over the bar with Stephen Place perfectly positioned to tap home a cross at the back post. Brian Cleary"s misplaced header then gave Carmine Russo a glimpse of goal but the outstanding Des Hope commanded the situation and cleared the danger. Onwubiko then lost his footing, allowing McCartney a chance to drill a low cross into Athlone"s danger area, but Hayes made a timely interception and snuffed out the threat. Hayes became the first player to be booked for fouling Tom King in the 36th minute but Athlone should have netted a second goal in the 41st minute. A precise quick throw-out by Shanahan sent Onwubiko racing into Longford"s half and he slotted through Damien Rushe, who seemed to be pushed as he shot towards goal. Longford "keeper Alan Gough blocked the effort away for a corner but Athlone could have put the game to bed at this moment. Cleary then conceded a needless free kick at the right corner flag, fouling Carmine Russo, and McCartney"s in-swinging free dropped kindly for Jim Sheridan in a crowded goalmouth. Sheridan blasted the ball towards the top corner but Robbie Hamm made a superb headed clearance to keep Athlone ahead. A corner kick by McCartney also clipped the Athlone crossbar on its way over just before half-time but Shanahan had the situation under control. Des Hope, who has a history of suffering from injuries, picked up a knock six minutes into the second half but soldiered on and gave another assured performance at the heart of Athlone"s defence. Hamm made a fine block to deny McCartney on 58 minutes and then Benson saw yellow for fouling King. Rushe and Benson were both involved in setting up Stephen Place who found the back of the net, but his effort was correctly ruled offside. Russo then slid Murphy down the side of Athlone"s defence and he crossed in dangerous fashion but Shanahan did enough to palm the ball to safety. Former Athlone defender Brian McCarthy was booked for a late tackle on Benson and the young Athlone attacker almost wrapped up the points in the 71st minute after neat work by Hamm and McGee, but unfortunately Benson"s crossgoal shot, which beat Alan Gough, flew just wide. Des Hope was harshly booked for alleged time wasting late on and McCarthy had a couple of efforts which amounted to nothing for Longford. McGee thought he was through on goal in the closing moments after a beautiful pass by Benson but the linesman raised his flag for offside. Damien Rushe hobbled off injured during stoppage time and young Cathal Joyce was given a debut during the dying embers of the tie, which Athlone saw out comfortably after taking an 18th minute lead. LONGFORD TOWN: Alan Gough; Ray Kenny; Tom King; Jim Sheridan; Brian McCarthy; Stephen Gough; Carmine Russo; Colm Jinks; Adrian Murphy; Derek Glynn; Jason McCartney. Subs: Gary Curran for S Gough (60 mins); Michael Lee for Russo (71). ATHLONE TOWN: Aaron Shanahan; Robbie Hamm; Brian Cleary; Thomas McGauley; Des Hope; Damien Rushe; Emeka Onwubiko; Anthony Hayes; Stephen Place; Noel McGee; Robbie Benson. Subs: Kieran O"Reilly for Hayes (67 mins); Cathal Joyce for Onwubiko (89); Kevin Dunne for Rushe (92). REFEREE: Brendan Kelly.