Athlone show grit to sink Rovers as Singleton returns
Athlone Town 3 Shamrock Rovers 1
By Eamon A. Donoghue
Athlone Town showed new head coach Lily Agg they have the character to retain their title in this home victory over Shamrock Rovers last Saturday evening.
Athlone produced their most resilient performance of the season and they needed to. It was a game of two halves — early control, a middle spell under siege, then a clinical finish that sent a message to the new manager that they have plenty of fight and will to win.
The second goal was very fortunate and the third goal was also somewhat lucky. They stay hot on the heels of unbeaten Galway United and second in the league table.
New manager and former Republic of Ireland international Agg gave her side instructions from the line in a protective boot and crutches. She will have learned more about her players in this game than if they had won comfortably. Athlone were fortunate to get the win and it was more willingness than excellent play that got Agg’s side this win.
Another positive for Athlone was the return to the starting line-up of Chloe Singleton after a lengthy injury-enforced absence.
Athlone got the perfect start just 14 minutes into the game. Madison Gibson did the groundwork down the left flank, dispossessing defender Maria Reynolds, then whipping in a low cross to Dana Scheriff who rounded the keeper and showed real composure to unselfishly square it back to Gibson. With the net gaping, Madison tapped it home and the Athlone Town Stadium was buzzing.
Athlone should have pushed on from there, but they never really took a grip of the game. Despite having more possession, they struggled to find rhythm in the final third. Passes went astray and the tempo dropped, letting Shamrock Rovers grow into it.
Rovers, even with less of the ball, looked more dangerous. They created the better chances after the opening goal, sliding balls in behind Athlone’s high line and forcing two sharp saves from Athlone keeper Courtney Maguire.
Then just ten minutes after Gibson’s opening goal, Rovers struck. The Athlone defence stood still and Rovers’ best player on the day, Della Cowper-Gray, swung in the ball into the box and Sadhbh Doyle controlled, turned and scored the equaliser. At half-time it was 1-1.
Indeed, Rovers could have been in the ascendancy at the interval. Irish U19 international Della Cowper-Gray was impressive on the evening and was causing Athlone problems down the right flank and Ella Kelly was doing likewise on the left flank. Doyle had a couple of opportunities to score but Maguire brought off key saves.
After the resumption, new manager Agg would have needed to give her side a stern team talk to encourage her players to raise their performance for the second half.
But it was the Hoops who came out rejuvenated, determined and believing they could take a scalp on the day. For the next 15 minutes Rovers were on top. They pressed higher, won second balls, and Athlone’s legs looked heavy. Rovers looked the better side and were growing in confidence.
Athlone needed something or someone to step up and it was Texan midfielder Hannah Waesch who dragged her side over the line.
There was fortune and controversy in the last quarter of the game. First off, Rovers keeper Amanda Budden was injured, she clashed with Scheriff and had to leave the pitch and the ground by ambulance.
Budden’s replacement Erica Turner then was involved in the key score, as she came out to the edge of the box to collect Waesch’s pass inside. As Turner collected possession, she caught Roisin Molloy’s leg and the referee pointed to the spot. Scheriff made no mistake from the spot kick.
Athlone then finished off the contest when substitute and local girl Hazel Donegan squeezed the ball on the volley past Turner to seal a flattering 3-1 win for the hosts.
Scorers: Athlone Town: M Gibson (14 mins), D Scheriff (76), H Donegan (85); Shamrock Rovers: S Doyle (24).
Player of the match: Hannah Waesch (Athlone Town). Waesch was excellent in the second half. She threaded the team together with her willingness for work and her deft passing.
Talking point: The penalty seemed harsh on replacement Rovers keeper Erica Turner. It did turn the game in Athlone’s favour and was key to the win.
Athlone Town: Courtney Maguire; Michaela Hand, Shauna Brennan, Kayleigh Shine, Kerryanne Brown; Chloe Singleton, Hanna Waesch; Roisin Molloy, Dana Scheriff, Madison Gibson; Alexis Strickland. Subs: Noelle Murray for Singleton (46 mins); Isabel Ryan for Gibson (67); Hazel Donegan for Strickland (78).
Shamrock Rovers: Amanda Budden; Lauryn O’Callaghan, Maria Reynolds, Roisin McGovern, Hailey Twomey; Jaime Thompson, Therese Kinnevey; Della Cowper-Gray, Sadhbh Doyle, Ella Kelly; Anna Butler. Subs: Erica Turner for Budden (inj., 63 mins); Kassie McLoughlin for Butler (73); Mia Gaff for Doyle (86).
Referee: Declan Toland.