League Preview: Longford Town -v- Athlone Town

LONGFORD TOWN

Longford Town return to City Calling Stadium in search of their first win in three games in the second ‘Midlands Clasico’ of the season (kick-off 7.30pm).

Neale Fenn has seen his side relinquish their place at the top of the table, first to Cabinteely and now to Shelbourne.

Longford followed up a home defeat to Cabinteely two weeks ago with a surprise 2-1 reverse at Galway United last Friday.

They had led early through Dean Byrne but Vinny Faherty scored a second-hand brace to ensure the Tribesmen took all three points.

“We’ve lost our last two games but confidence is high in the camp,” striker Jamie Doyle told the club’s Soundcloud account.

“We haven’t play well in the last two weeks and if you’re not at your best in that league you’ll get punished.

“Hopefully this week we’ll put things right with a big win against Athlone.”

Longford Town haven’t provided team news but they were injury-free last week and welcome Joe Manley and Jamie Hollywood back after they missed out with exams.

ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone make the short distance across the midlands to face Longford Town on the back of their heaviest defeat of the season at home to Bray Wanderers last week.

Terry Butler’s side went into the game high on confidence following a strong performance at Shelbourne, where they were unlucky not to take a point from the game.

Things started badly and got worse, however, as Dylan Barnett and Joe Doyle scored within 15 minutes and then Darren Meenan was shown a straight red card.

Dylan McGlade missed a penalty, while Sean Heaney, Jake Ellis and Derek Daly also got in among the goals as the Seagulls ran riot.

Athlone Town haven’t released any team news but will be missing Meenan through suspension following his red card last week.

Referee: Garvin Taggart.

MATCH STATS

The sides have already met once this season, at Lissywollen, when a late strike from Sam Verdon was enough to earn Longford a 1-0 win.

The sides met three times last season, Longford winning 3-0 and 5-1 at home and drawing 1-1 in Athlone.

BETTING

Longford Town 1/4; Draw 7/2; Athlone Town 9/1.

PREDICTION

Longford Town 3 – 1 Athlone Town

Longford Town

Injured: Unavailable.

Doubtful: Unavailable.

Suspended: None.

Athlone Town

Injured: Unavailable.

Doubtful: Unavailable.

Suspended: Darren Meenan.