Superb Spanish side give footballing masterclass

TWO beautifully crafted goals by half-time substitute David Fuster lit up Spanish side Villarreal's much anticipated visit to Lissywoollen in glorious sunshine last Saturday evening. The 28-year-old, who has yet to establish himself as a regular starter for Villarreal, netted two superbly-taken strikes during the second half. Firstly, Fuster struck with an unstoppable and precise free kick in the 62nd minute, giving Athlone man of the match goalkeeper Michael Schlingermann, little chance from roughly 25 yards. Fuster then made it 3-0 with ten minutes remaining, firing a brilliant long-range effort past Schlingermann and into the net via the underside of the crossbar. Former Man Utd youngster Guiseppe Rossi had earlier given Villarreal a first half lead from the penalty spot. A slightly below expected crowd of just over 1,000 turned up to watch some of La Liga's most impressive talent, but the Villarreal squad was minus the services of recent World Cup stars Joan Capdevilla (Spain), Diego Godin (Uruguay) and Nilmar (Brazil). However, their starting line-up for the first half (they fielded different XIs in each half) included European Championship winners and influential midfielders Marcos Senna and Santi Cazorla, as well as six-times capped Argentinian stalwart defender Gonzalo Rodriguez, classy midfielder Bruno Soriano and goalkeeper Diego Lopez. Perhaps their most well-known player in these parts though, was Guiseppe Rossi, who could have netted several goals during the first half but for some unlucky shooting and a superb display by Athlone netminder Schlingermann. As anticipated, Villarreal - who finished seventh in La Liga last season - completed lorded the possession stakes, but quite how much time they spent in control was somewhat eye-opening. Athlone, who must be applauded for a great effort and also for not completely capitulating against a very high standard of opposition, found the visitors' speed of thought, excellent technique and movement, and extra finesse, so difficult to get to grips with, and it was only after Rossi opened the scoring that Athlone settled a little bit. Indeed, almost six minutes had elapsed before Athlone had any form of real possession in the Villarreal half of the field, and the Yellow Submarines' 'keeper Diego Lopez had nothing but kicking duty to do until the 25th minute, when he raced from his goal to collect a hopeful ball over the top by Eoghan O'Shea. Villarreal's style of play and ability is simply on a different planet to the League of Ireland First Division, but Athlone never threw in the towel and did everything they could to give the visitors' a worthwhile pre-season run-out. The Spanish side were even a million miles ahead of Middlesbrough, who Athlone drew 1-1 with the previous Monday, and one would hope this football lesson will only benefit Athlone's players in terms of mental sharpness and concentration for the remainder of what has been so far a very disappointing First Division campaign. Athlone manager Brendan Place again took this opportunity to look at a couple of triallists, with former Limerick duo Wayne Colbert and Dave Ryan handed starts. Declan O'Brien also started in Athlone's forward line, despite not yet having a league game since signing for the club two weeks ago, due to an ongoing registration problem with the Maltese FA. O'Brien completed 70 minutes against Villarreal (without, it had to be said, seeing much of the ball), and Athlone will hope the striker is cleared in time to play against Waterford Utd in the league this coming Thursday at Lissywoollen. With a large number of Athlone-based Spanish students in the crowd, Villarreal quickly made themselves at home, and had a chance to open the scoring within 60 seconds, but Hernán Perez put his stooping header wide from close range. Marcos Senna, Bruno Soriano and Santi Cazorla were running the show from midfield, and Senna saw a well-struck shot deflect wide on eight minutes. From the resulting corner, Dave Ryan did well to bravely block a fierce effort by Rossi. Cazorla then cut inside from his right-wing position and unleashed a bobbling shot that Schlingermann held at the second attempt, before the lively and intelligent Rossi dispossessed Denis Moran on the edge of the box and rifled a shot narrowly past Schlingermann's right post. On 13 minutes, Soriano's through ball almost put Perez in but good covering by Wayne Colbert averted the danger this time. Athlone midfielder Moran was substituted after a mere 18 minutes, with manager Brendan Place withdrawing the tenacious tackler following a lunge on Jose Catala, and subsequent yellow card from referee Damien Hancock. Villarreal's attacks were coming in rapid-fire waves, and Brian McCarthy had to defend well to deny Perez a shooting chance. Joan Oriol's cross then picked out Rossi at the edge of the box, but his turn and shot was a matter of inches wide. A breakthrough goal was inevitable and came on 22 minutes. Paddy Collins rashly brought Perez to ground inside the penalty area and Rossi calmly slotted the spot kick past Schlingermann. Cazorla then drove narrowly wide, before Schlingermann made an outstanding fingertip save from Perez. Against all odds, Athlone had their one and only scoring opportunity in the 36th minute. Shane Fitzgerald set up a golden chance for Kevin Williamson but the Tullamore native somehow blasted over the top from close range. Before half-time, Schlingermann went full-length to deny Bruno Soriano, and also kept out Rossi's close range effort, as Villarreal threatened to run riot. Perez was also thwarted by Schlingermann just before half-time, but chances kept coming for the Spaniards during the second half. Schlingermann did well to save from Cani after a couple of mistakes by McCarthy, before the 'keeper superbly palmed away a curling effort from Marco Ruben. McCarthy doggedly blocked another effort from Ruben, before Fuster took control. On 62 minutes, Fuster curled home a brilliant free kick from 25 yards and before the end he also hammered home a spectacular drive from just outside the box. Cani also hit the post for Villarreal as you almost began to feel sorry for Athlone's overworked and tiring defence. Now, after a week largely dominated by friendlies, Athlone have to refocus their attention on the league, starting with Thursday's difficult home game with Waterford Utd. Athlone Town: Michael Schlingermann; Wayne Colbert, Eoghan O'Shea, Paddy Collins, Brian McCarthy, Denis Moran, Shane Fitzgerald, Ryan McEvoy, Declan O'Brien, Dave Ryan, Kevin Williamson. Subs: Richie O'Hanlon for Ryan (18 mins), Niall Scullion and Des Hope for Fitzgerald and Collins (45), Dean Marshall and Austin Skelly for McEvoy and Ryan (64), Dave O'Riordan for O'Brien (70), Jason Hughes for O'Hanlon (75), Gordon Watson for Scullion (81), Chris Browne for McCarthy (85). Villarreal CF: (1st Half) Diego Lopez; Mario Martinez, Joan Oriol, Gonzalo Rodriguez, Jose Catala, Marcos Senna, Santi Cazorla, Bruno Soriano, Guiseppe Rossi, Hernán Perez, Cristobal Crespo. (2nd Hal): Xavi Oliva; Angel Lopez, Marcos Gullon, Mateo Mussachio, Natxo Insa, Cani, David Fuster, Marco Ruben, Jefferson Montero, Kiko, Gonzalo Castellani. Referee: Damien Hancock.