Athlone embarrassed at home by nine-man Waterford

After a 6-1 drubbing by Limerick a week earlier, even the most pessimistic Athlone Town fan was expecting some sort of improvement at home to Waterford last weekend. Yet, given the way events unfolded on Saturday last, this result was possibly even more humiliating. Two early sendings off meant that Brendan Place's players were up against a nine-man Waterford team from the 26th minute onwards. Despite having two extra men for the majority of this encounter, Athlone's performance was lacking in every department and second-half goals from Vinny Sullivan and Alan Carey helped Waterford to a deserved victory. Noel McGee came off the bench to score for Athlone in the 88th minute, but his precise strike was scant consolation when, at the final whistle, the small band of visiting supporters could chant "nine men, we only need nine men". The result continues a dire run of form which has left the Town without a win in the league since the end of May. Of their thirteen league games since that 1-0 victory away to bottom side Kildare County on May 30, Athlone have drawn five and lost eight. At the time of going to press the locals remained in ninth place, but a victory by Longford Town against Kildare last night (Tuesday) would move Athlone into tenth position, one spot behind their midland rivals. Regardless of last night's result, it's clear that Athlone will need a dramatic improvement in form if they're to avoid ending another season towards the foot of the First Division table. On a dry, mild evening a very small crowd turned out to see Athlone adopt an experimental formation on Saturday. Stephen Place, who has typically played as a striker this season, partnered Des Hope in the centre of defence. Meanwhile Franco Georgescu was deployed as a lone striker, with Robbie Benson offering him support from midfield. With their forthcoming appearances in the League Cup final and FAI Cup semi final, Waterford have been enjoying a fine season to date. It was, therefore, no surprise, that Stephen Henderson's side controlled most of the possession in the early stages. Athlone forced two corner kicks in the fifth and sixth minutes but poor deliveries allowed the visitors to easily clear their lines. United created the game's first real chance after nine minutes. Kevin Murray was given far too much space in midfield and he took advantage with a penetrating run, before passing to Graham Cummins, who teed up Willie John Kiely for a shot that flew just over the bar. Waterford were again on the attack moments later, but Stephen Grant's wayward half-volley failed to trouble Barry Andrews in the Town goal. One of the home side's better moves of the evening came in the 14th minute. Tom O'Halloran played a neat one-two with Georgescu. His cross eventually reached Gary Murphy, who set up Mark Salmon for a rasping shot which went just outside the top right-hand corner. The complexion of the game was then changed dramatically as a result of two incidents which earned Waterford players early showers. The first of these, in the twentieth minute, saw Graham Cummins issued with a straight red for a heavy challenge on Dave Tyrell. Six minutes later, referee Rob Rogers again reached for a straight red after Waterford's Kenneth Browne kicked out at Robbie Benson. When asked afterwards about the reason for the sendings off, the referee simply said they were both for violent conduct. The dismissals saw Waterford adopt a 3-4-1 formation, but it soon became apparent that Athlone would have trouble taking advantage of the two extra men. The game was largely uneventful in the lead up to the interval. However, Athlone's best chance of the half was created in stoppage time. Murphy played it to Niall O'Reilly on the wing. His dangerous cross in front of the face of goal was toe-poked just wide by Georgescu. Athlone's performance in the first half was underwhelming, but the opening stages of the second half offered a few brief glimmers of hope. In the 53rd minute, half time sub Noel McGee almost put the locals in front, playing a one-two with Benson before letting fly. His shot was parried by Waterford 'keeper Michael Devine but was still on its way into the net until away defender Alan Cleary made a goal-line clearance off the underside of the crossbar. Town won a free kick in a promising position after 58 minutes but Mark Salmon's effort was too high to trouble Devine. For Athlone, it was all downhill from there. Waterford's dogged performance was rewarded in the 73rd minute when Carey's corner kick reached Kevin Murray at the far post. He headed it back across the face of the goal and striker Vinny Sullivan was well-placed to nod home from close range, prompting ecstatic celebrations from the Waterford players and supporters. A miserable night for Athlone got even worse when the nine men doubled their advantage ten minutes later. Athlone 'keeper Barry Andrews was adjudged to have fouled Kevin Murray when attempting to gather a high ball, and referee Rogers pointed to the spot. Carey dispatched the kick, with the aid of the right-hand post. Athlone never looked like recovering, despite McGee's cool finish in the 88th minute following a knock-on from Des Hope. ATHLONE TOWN: Barry Andrews, Niall O'Reilly, Des Hope, Stephen Place, Dave Tyrell, Robbie Benson, Anthony Hayes (Stephen Relihan, 78 mins), Mark Salmon, Tom O'Halloran (Dave O'Connor, 55 mins), Gary Murphy (Noel McGee, HT), Franco Georgescu. WATERFORD UNITED: Michael Devine, Alan Carey, Kenneth Browne, Kevin Murray, Seamus Long, John Kearney, Stephen Grant, Dave Warren (Kevin Waters, 79 mins), Willie John Kiely, Vinny Sullivan, Graham Cummins. Referee: Rob Rogers