League Preview: Athlone Town -v- Longford Town

ATHLONE TOWN

Adrian Carberry’s Athlone Town will be hoping that his Athlone Town side can win the Midlands El Clasico for the first time in sixteen attempts when they welcome Longford to Lissywoolen this evening (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

Carberry’s young guns come into the game fresh off the back of two successive league wins on the spin.

Their most recent league win came over Wexford at Ferrycarrig Park – with Jack Reynolds’ second-half strike the difference between the sides.

The win away to Wexford came just three days after Athlone won their first league game in over a year.

Last Friday, Athlone came from behind to defeat Cobh Ramblers at Lissywoolen.

Ben O’Riordan gave the Rams the lead before they were pegged back straight away by Reynolds’ equaliser.

And it got even better for Athlone in the 83^rd minute, as in-form Ronan Manning slotted home a spot-kick to secure a vital three points for Athlone.

LONGFORD TOWN

Longford Town will be hopeful of consolidating their position in the First Division playoffs this evening when they travel to face Athlone Town this evening.

De Town come into the game following a morale-boosting three-one win over UCD at Bishopsgate last time out.

And despite dominating much of the play in the first-half, Town fell behind through Evan Weir’s first ever strike in senior League of Ireland football.

The youngster was fed in by Jack Keaney who played a through ball to Weir and his shot from a tight angle hit the roof of the net.

Town reacted well and levelled in the 55th minute when Adam Evans’ cross was finished to the net by Shane Elworthy who got in between two UCD players.

in the 75th minute they took the lead when Sam Verdon headed home from close range before Rob Manley wrapped up the three points in the 86th minute with a close-range finish.

In terms of team news for Longford this evening, both Dylan Grimes and Lido Lotefa are expected to miss out with injuries.

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea.

MATCH STATS

Longford Town are unbeaten in their previous 16 games against Athlone Town – with their last defeat versus their Midlands rivals coming all the way back in 2013.

Adrian Carberry’s side have only won once at home all season – with their recent win over Cobh Ramblers at Lissywoolen ending a barren run of over a year without a home league win.

The Blue and Black of the Midlands have scored the same amount of goals as Longford Town in the league this season, although, they have conceded 17 goals more than Daire Doyle’s charges.

BETTING

Athlone Town 7/2; Draw 11/4; Longford Town 4/7.

PREDICTION

Athlone Town 1 - 2 Longford Town

Athlone Town

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.

Longford Town

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Dylan Grimes, Lido Lotefa.

Suspended: None.