Athlone Town look to change tune against Harps

 

Athlone Town will be aiming to bounce back from last weekend's defeat to Waterford Utd when they host Finn Harps tonight (Friday, kick-off: 7.45pm).

The 1-0 loss away to Waterford was Athlone's first defeat in this year's Airtricity League First Division campaign.

 The early dismissal on a straight red card of Athlone's Roddy Collins Jnr proved a significant factor in the outcome against Waterford. It was the third time in five games that Athlone have had a player sent off this season. The midlanders eventually fell behind in the 78 th minute, when Dave Breen struck for the Blues.

 

On the bright side for Athlone, striker Philip Gorman is available for the visit of Finn Harps, having served a suspension.

 

Looking ahead to the clash against Finn Harps, Roddy Collins told the Westmeath Independent: “Finn Harps are a good side and have had a great start. They’re unbeaten and their manager, Peter Hutton, knows his stuff, so it will be a big test again.”

 

“It would be great to get that first home win but we want to win every game we play. It’s an important week for us but I can assure you that our team is only going to get better and better. It takes a bit of time but we’re getting there,” he added.

 

*For a report on the Waterford Utd v Athlone Town and more quotes from Roddy Collins, see this week's Westmeath Independent.