Insipid Athlone Town fail to test league leaders Derry

League leaders Derry City strolled to three points against a dreadful Athlone Town at Lissywoollen on Tuesday evening of last week, as the First Division prepared to go into a two week mid-season mini-break. The Candystripes, managed by former Longford boss Stephen Kenny, are the current runaway leaders in the First Division, currently holding a seven-point lead over second placed Waterford Utd. But they couldn't have imagined things being so easy for them at Lissywoollen. A brace for the lively Mark Farren and a long distance effort by Kevin Deery settled the issue, as Athlone put up absolutely no resistance on a depressing evening for their supporters. It was a far cry from earlier in the campaign when Athlone made things very difficult for Derry in the Brandywell, losing just 1-0 thanks to a Mark Scoltock header from a set-piece. Athlone came into the game on the back of an encouraging away win at Cork City, followed by a narrow FAI Cup defeat at in-form Premier Division side Sligo Rovers, but never looked likely to trouble Derry, especially with top-scorer Austin Skelly left on the bench. For weeks now, many people close to Athlone have had a tendency to point to injury problems as the reason for their patchy league form, which has seen the Town amass just five points from the last seven games. However, this terribly below-par performance only served to highlight the shortcomings of several of the current squad, with the likes of Stephen Place, Gordon Watson, Shane O'Connell and Richie O'Hanlon producing particularly poor performances on the night. There was little cohesion about Athlone's midfield play, with Stephen Place looking completely uncomfortable in this sector of the field, and, up front, young Watson looked out of his depth at this level. Watson, signed in pre-season from non-league Pegasus, has now featured in ten matches for Athlone, and has not only failed to find the net, but has come nowhere near doing so. In fairness, Athlone's back four, marshalled well by Des Hope, did all it could to repel Derry, who, quite frankly, coasted to victory without ever having to get out of first gear. Derry still possess several players from last season's Premier Division squad, including the likes of central midfield pairing Kevin Deery and Barry Molloy, who completely bossed proceedings in the middle of the field, while Mark Farren and impressive number 10 Vinny Sweeney caused huge problems for Athlone with their movement and football intelligence. Under the tutelage of outstanding manager Stephen Kenny, it's very unlikely Derry will relent in their bid for an immediate return to the top flight of Irish football. But as the season progresses, one would hope they will be tested much more severely than they were here. During a dreadful first half, it took Derry the majority of half an hour to stamp their superiority, but all the while wingers James McClean and Patrick McEleney were causing trouble for Athlone. Deery and Molloy were running the midfield, looking streets ahead of Athlone's low-tempo midfield of veteran Stephen Caffrey and Place, and Athlone only had a weak headed effort from Watson, after an O'Connell free kick, to show for their first half work. Shane Dolan, making his first start after suffering injury since signing for the Town, picked up a yellow card in the 28th minute, and also gave a brief insight into his long throw expertise. But he was cruelly withdrawn from the game after just 38 minutes, making way for top-scorer Skelly. This left Athlone punters wondering why Skelly, by far Athlone's biggest attacking threat, was fit enough to play the guts of 55 minutes, but not to start. And there would also be a definite case to ask why it was Dolan, and not the ineffectual Watson, who was called ashore to make way for Skelly. By this point, Athlone were a goal behind, after the skilful McClean skipped past Niall Scullion down the left flank, before whipping over a perfect cross that Farren sent to the net with a well-timed diving header. McEleney shot wildly over Athlone's crossbar within minutes of the restart, and Watson, back defending a corner kick, had to make a vital clearance for the Town. But a second goal was inevitable and it arrived on the hour when Deery lashed home a drive from 25 yards. Seven minutes later, it was 3-0. An attempted short corner routine by Athlone broke down in the corner, and Derry seized the opportunity to break forward with ruthless precision. The move forward involved just three Derry players, with Deery eventually laying on an easy chance for Farren, as Athlone were sadly exposed at the back. Skelly reduced the deficit on 72 minutes, driving home with conviction after O'Hanlon's through pass, but a serious comeback was never threatened. In fact, Derry could have added to their advantage in the dying stages, but missed chances through McClean (twice), Farren and substitute Thomas McBride, while Hope also made a well-judged last gasp tackle to deny Farren in the final minute of injury time. Athlone's next outing is not until June 26 when they entertain third placed Monaghan Utd, and on the evidence of this performance, a break can only do them good. ATHLONE TOWN: Chris Bennion; Niall Scullion, Eoghan O'Shea, Des Hope, Brian McCarthy. Stephen Caffrey, Richie O'Hanlon, Stephen Place, Shane Dolan, Gordon Watson, Shane O'Connell. Subs: Austin Skelly for Dolan (38 mins), Mark Nolan for Scullion (63), David O'Riordan for O'Connell (76). DERRY CITY: Gerard Doherty; Eddie McCallion, Emmet Friars, Mark McChrystal, Mark Scoltock, Barry Molloy, Patrick McEleney, Kevin Deery, Mark Farren, Vinny Sweeney, James McClean. Subs: Thomas McBride for Sweeney (75 mins), Darren Cassidy for McClean (83), Adam Clarke for McEleney (90).