League Preview: Athlone Town -v- Cork City

ATHLONE TOWN

Tommy Hewitt’s side will be looking for their first win of the season when they welcome Cork City to Athlone Town Stadium on Saturday evening in the Women’s National League (kick-off 7pm).

The manager will have taken heart from how well his side performed last week, with Wexford Youths only just managing to get the better of Athlone with a 1-0 win courtesy of a Kylie Murphy penalty.

Hewitt will be disappointed to have had two of his key players dismissed during the game however.

Muireann Devaney was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 63^rd minute after a challenge on Lauren Dwyer.

Twenty minutes later, Fiona Owens was dismissed after the defender tripped Ellen Molloy who was through on goal, leaving referee Oliver Moran no option but to produce the red card.

Athlone have had a strong showing over three games despute their two losses which came at the hands of Shelbourne and Wexford Youths, teams that will be expected to challenge at the top of the table this season.

The Town will be looking to add some points this weekend against Cork but they will have to contend with the absence of both Muireann Devaney and Fiona Owens who will miss out due to suspension.

CORK CITY

Ronán Collins’ side will be disappointed with their start to the 2021 WNL season so far with the Rebels yet to win a game.

Despite coming from behind to claim a draw with Galway in the first game of the season Cork have not been able to get over the line and claim three points with losses to Shelbourne and DLR Waves, and a draw with Bohemians following the opening day of the season.

Conceding goals has been a major problem for last year’s FAI Women’s Cup runners up with nine goals conceded in their first three games this season.

They managed to tighten things up at the back against DLR Waves last week with a Jessica Gleeson free-kick the only goal in their 1-0 loss to the Dublin side last weekend.

Cork should take confidence from last week’s performance as they go in search of their first three points of the season against Athlone this Saturday evening.

Collins is still without the services of Zara Foley, Sophie Liston and Nathalie O’Brien who all miss out again due to injury.

Sarah McKevitt also misses out this week due to injury but Katie McCarthy has returned to full fitness and could feature against Athlone Town.

MATCH STATS

Both sides are looking for their first win of the season on Saturday.

Cork and Athlone have met just once since Athlone joined the WNL last year. Cork City came away 2-0 winners from that game.

The Rebels have conceded the third highest amount of goals in this season’s WNL with ten conceded so far.

PREDICTION

Athlone Town 1–1 Cork City

Athlone Town

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Muireann Devaney, Fiona Owens.

Cork City

Injured: Zara Foley, Sophie Liston, Nathalie O’Brien, Sarah MCKevitt..

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.