Four in a row for Athlone as Harps remain out of tune
Finn Harps 0 Athlone Town 1
By John Dingle
Athlone Town confirmed their standing as the form team in the First Division as a fourth win in a row maintained their challenge for a place in the end of season play-offs.
Bottom club Finn Harps were the latest team to be beaten but still posed a major test at Finn Park in Ballybofey last Friday night as a goal early in the second half proved to be the winner for the visitors.
A dull opening half was enlightened when play resumed as Peter Grogan finally broke the deadlock, but Harps did not buckle and put Athlone under a lot of pressure in the closing stages before another win could be celebrated.
Athlone were looking for back to back away wins and, based on recent form, they would have been favourites to do so. The home team in contrast were in free fall at the foot of the table with eight straight league and cup defeats adding to the gloom in Donegal. There had been signs of a revival though under new manager Patrick McEleney in the previous outing when UCD just came out on top in a nine-goal thriller at Belfield.
It was a surprise then that the opening half was scoreless and devoid of any serious goalmouth action. The first chance seemed to sum up Harps' miserable campaign to date as recalled goalkeeper Corey Sheridan almost fumbled the ball into his own net. From the first corner kick of the contest after six minutes, Grogan met the delivery with a header which seemed a routine save for Sheridan to make but the keeper needed a second chance to collect the ball after he fumbled initially.
The game soon settled down into the doldrums as neither team looked likely to make the breakthrough. Dylan Connolly delivered a cross from the right for Athlone from which Patrick Ferry tried spectacularly to find the net but his overhead kick went wide.
Two corner kicks were then earned by the visitors but still the game continued scoreless. Sean Brennan drilled a free kick over the bar as Athlone continued to attack while the last chance of the half saw Grogan have a header saved.
Despite having no chances of scoring, Harps would still have been reasonably happy to head off for the interval on level terms. The worst defence in the division had managed to keep a clean sheet and were on target for their first point since July. Athlone had dominated but failed to open up the home rearguard as a bumpy pitch did not aid their passing game.
While a point would not have been a bad return from an away outing, Town manager Sean O’Connor knew that this battle with the bottom club should be won. As it turned out, it did not take the visitors long to make the breakthrough when play resumed. Against one of his former clubs, Ferry had the first chance when the second half got underway but he fired over.
What proved to be the winner came after 52 minutes when good work down the left was rewarded. Jim Crawford and Ferry were initially involved as Gradi Lomboto was then set up for a run down the wing pass his marker. His cross from the end line was bundled to the net from close range by Grogan who did well to meet the cross in spite of being outnumbered inside the six yard box.
Having at last made the breakthrough, the tension should have been eased for Athlone but they still had some anxious moments to endure before a win could be celebrated.
The visitors did not build on their lead and Harps remained dangerous as a result. Joel Bradley-Walsh had their first chance from a free kick but his strike was saved by Brendan Clarke. In general, though, the quality was lacking from a brave but limited home outfit.
Athlone had few chances to add to their lead as substitute Robert Lyons had their first chance since the goal was scored when his shot was saved after 72 minutes. Harps had the better of the closing exchanges and could easily have earned a share of the spoils. From a corner after 76 minutes, Ciaron Harkin headed over while a deflected shot from Tony McNamee moments later was saved by Clarke.
Harps were pushing hard for an equaliser and Athlone's last chance fell to substitute Zach Lawless whose header was saved by Sheridan after 87 minutes. With Lomboto now basically employed as a full-back, Athlone were hanging on as full-time approached with everyone behind the ball.
The hosts sensed a first point in months as they pushed forward and did indeed come very close to equalising. McNamee sent in an inviting cross which was met by Darragh Coyle at the far post. The header looked to be on target but flew just wide of the far post instead as Athlone breathed a sigh of relief.
Five additional minutes added to the tension but there was no late drama as Harps ran out of ideas and time in their attempts to salvage a point.
Athlone are hitting form at the right time and four straight wins has them to within two points of the play-off positions with half a dozen games left to play. Next up is a visit to Belfield to take on second placed UCD on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm) and the chance to cut the lead to the Students to five points.
Man of the match: Peter Grogan (Athlone Town). In a game of few clear-cut chances, the Town striker took one that fell his way as his close range strike sealed victory for the visitors.
Finn Harps: Corey Sheridan, Ronan Ferns, Joel Bradley Walsh, Max Hutchinson, Tony McNamee, Gavin McAteer, Darragh Coyle, Bridel Bosakani, Ciaron Harkin, Finn McKenlay, Josh Cullen. Subs: Aaron McLaughlin and Guilherme Priosti for Bradley-Walsh and Bosakani (55 mins); Bernardo Monteiro for McKenlay (72).
Athlone Town: Brendan Clarke, Dylan Connolly, Evan O’Connor, James Crawford, Jonathan Kehir, Sean Brennan, Gradi Lomboto, Callum Cleary, Patrick Ferry, Peter Grogan, William Smith. Subs: Robert Lyons and Zach Lawless for Ferry and Smith (71 mins).
Referee: Glen Geraghty (Dublin).