Hamm hopes Athlone can bounce back in cup clash

ATHLONE TOWN defender Robbie Hamm wants his side to put last weekend"s defeat to Limerick to the back of their minds and concentrate on getting a decent FAI Cup run going. The Town travel to Station Road in Newbridge on Saturday for a third round clash with First Division basement side Kildare County (kick-off: 7.30pm) and Athlone will be favourites to see off a side they"ve already defeated twice so far this season. However, Athlone"s performance against Limerick last weekend was very worrying and they ended up losing 2-0. Robbie Hamm, though, feels it"s imperative Athlone wipe that game from the memory. 'I think this game is probably even bigger than a normal league game because everyone wants to do well in the cup and get a decent cup run,' said Hamm. 'It"s a very hard competition to do well in, but we got a decent draw and it"s important we go to Kildare with the right attitude and try to win the game. I don"t think our previous league meetings mean too much. They"ve strengthened their squad in recent weeks and can be a threat with long balls and their physicality. I think we"ll find it tough in Kildare but we"ll be confident. Kildare will be dogged and it"s not going to be easy. We conceded two very soft goals against Limerick last weekend and it was very much an off-night for the team. But there"s no point dwelling on it and it"s time to move on and hopefully get a good cup result,' added the Athlone right back. Athlone are missing the suspended Kevin Williamson but Stephen Place will return to the squad after himself serving a ban last weekend. Kevin Dunne"s availability is unclear at this stage of the week due to exam commitments, while Emeka Onwubiko has been released by the club. Athlone exited the FAI Cup at the second stage last year after beating Finn Harps in the opening round. That game actually included a memorable goal by Robbie Hamm. 'That was a good occasion and a good win for the club,' Hamm said. 'We were hoping to go a bit further in last year"s cup but lost to Galway Utd in the next round. It was disappointing but hopefully we can get a bit of a run going this time around,' he added.