Athlone's winless run reaches ten in Ryan's last stand
Bray Wanderers 1 Athlone Town 0
By John Dingle
Athlone Town’s winless run stretched into double figures as Bray Wanderers piled further misery on the midlanders in what proved Ian Ryan’s last game in charge at the Carlisle Grounds last Friday night.
The only goal of the game came just shy of the half hour mark when the visitors’ defence were opened up by an attacking move from midfield. The ball was delivered wide to the right and the resulting cross was met by the head of Daniel Ring, who beat goalkeeper Brendan Clarke from the edge of the six-yard box.
Athlone tried hard thereafter to try and salvage a point but once again the poorest attack in the division failed to apply the crucial finishing touch. It is a result that sees the Town remain in eighth spot on the table but home wins for Finn Harps and Treaty United now edge them even closer to Athlone.
The visitors showed two changes to the team that had drawn with Finn Harps a week earlier as Patrick Ferry returned from suspension and Aaron Connolly retained his place after coming on as a substitute against the Donegal outfit. Callum Cleary was dropped while William Smith reverted to the subs bench.
Gradi Lomboto was automatically suspended after two yellow cards ended his contribution soon after joining the action against Finn Harps. There was a further blow to Athlone when the action got underway with Aaron Moloney forced off with just 20 minutes played as Zach Lawless came on to replace the midfielder.
Unfortunately for Athlone the next noteworthy moment came with Bray striking for what proved to be the winning goal.
Wanderers were quickly on the attack when play got underway with Cian Doyle and Ifunanyachi Achara both having early chances. Richard Ferizaj had a further home opportunity but a marvellous save from their goalkeeper Jimmy Corcoran had them still on level terms after nine minutes.
Bray recovered and Ryan Kelly had the next home chance which went just wide of the post on the quarter hour mark. After some off target attempts at either end, the deadlock was soon broken by the home team.
Athlone were undone after 27 minutes when a fine crossfield ball from midfield picked out Achara on the right. The number eleven still faced Kyle O’Connor on the edge of the penalty area but managed to deliver a cross into the danger zone where Ring got in between Jonathan Kehir and Evan O’Connor to power a header past Clarke.
It handed the hosts a major confidence boost as Athlone seemed to accept the inevitable outcome. Ring was then denied a second soon after with Bray fans looking for a penalty kick as the goal scorer was denied by the Town defence who dealt with his run forward.
There were few further chances as the half progressed but Corcoran again had to be alert just before the break to keep Bray in front when heading off for the interval.
The Bray defence was again under pressure when play resumed but solid defending kept Athlone at bay as Cillian Tollett and Peter Grogan tried hard to get the Town back in contention. Athlone earned another corner just before the hour mark but were soon defending as Bray went in search of another score. Clarke pulled off a great save to deny Ferizaj the second of the night.
Thomas Considine was replaced by Reece Webb after 66 minutes as Town manager Ryan looked to bring on fresh legs in defence. Ferizaj had a further opportunity to double the lead but flashed his shot across the Town goalmouth. Athlone tried hard to force an equaliser but another corner midway through the half failed to trouble the Bray defence.
As the visitors pushed forward, Bray were handed opportunities on the counter attack and another great save from Clarke denied Ring after 79 minutes. The third and final Town change saw William Smith come on for Connolly in the closing stages.
Both keepers were in fine form throughout and Corcoran was next to impress with another brilliant save in the penultimate minute. Six additional minutes were indicated which gave Athlone more precious time to try and salvage the point many felt they deserved from their efforts.
Yellow cards for Brian McManus, Clarke and Kyle O’Connor before the final whistle sounded though added to the gloom in the Athlone camp as another blank was drawn in front of goal.
After the game had ended, the travelling support again voiced their frustration at what was unfolding with the winless run now stretching to ten games and the gap between the bottom three decreasing alarmingly.
Remarkably it is not all doom and gloom though as Longford Town, in the final play-off position, are just four points ahead of their Midlands rivals but similarly Wexford and Kerry are also primed to pounce on any slip up.
Next up for Athlone is a home game against Cobh Ramblers who are seven points ahead and currently occupy fourth place on the table. A morale boosting victory is badly needed from somewhere and an inconsistent visiting team might offer a glimmer of hope for the hosts in their quest. It has been honours even to date in 2026 with Athlone successful the last time the teams met in the Midlands back in March.
Bray Wanderers: James Corcoran, Alain Kizenga, Benjamin Fagbemi, John Sesay, Richard Ferizaj, Ifunanyachi Achara, Declan Osagie, Daniel Ring, Ryan Kelly, Cian Doyle, Dean O’Shea. Subs: Tyreik Sammy and Kyle Tucker for Kelly and Sesay (62 mins); Jamie Duggan for Fagbemi (77); Conor Knight and Endri Mustali for Ring and Ferizaj (80).
Athlone Town: Brendan Clarke, Kyle O’Connor, Evan O’Connor, Aaron Moloney, Jonathan Kehir, Thomas Considine, Brian McManus, Peter Grogan, Patrick Ferry, Cillian Tollett, Aaron Connolly. Subs: Zach Lawless for Moloney (20 mins); Reece Webb for Considine (66); William Smith for Connolly (84).
Referee: Mark Houlihan (Dublin).