League Preview: Galway -v- Athlone Town

GALWAY

It’s been a challenging few weeks for the Tribeswomen with their attention now turning to Saturday’s encounter with Athlone Town at Eamonn Deacy Park (kick-off 2pm).

Galway have lost two games in a row, they lost 5-0 to Wexford Youths a fortnight ago and then last Saturday they lost 5-0 again to Shelbourne at Tolka Park.

They now find themselves six points outside the top four, a group that they would have seen themselves being a part of at the start of the season.

In addition to their on the field struggles, which have been exacerbated by injury and suspensions, huge changes have occurred off the field this week with the departure of Billy Clery and Dave Bell from the management team.

Clery’s assistant Maz Sweeney has taken over as caretaker manager while the club looks for a replacement and she will be assisted by Tommy Lally and Alana Moran this weekend.

They’ll be looking to put an end to this poor run of form but they’ll have to do it against a tough Athlone Town side.

Galway’s top scorer Rachel Kearns is still a doubt for the home side, as is Keara Cormican who picked up an injury during the side’s game against Wexford Youths.

On a positive note Therese Kinnevey and Chloe Singleton return from suspension while Aislinn Meaney has re-signed with the club after returning home from the United States.

ATHLONE TOWN

The Town recovered well from their 6-0 loss to Peamount United two weeks ago with a strong performance at home to DLR Waves last week.

Tommy Hewitt’s side went behind early on but they battled hard and for large parts of the game they were on top.

They couldn’t find an equalizing goal however, and they possibly should have had a penalty when Muireann Devaney was taken down in the box in the second half, but het decision was not forthcoming.

Atlhone are looking for that first win of the season and if they can put in a performance against Galway like they did against Waves they might just be able to get some more points on the board.

Tommy Hewitt is fully aware as to how tough this fixture could be however.

“Like ourselves, they’re not getting the bounce of the ball but I’m under no illusions, Galway are a terrific side and they have Chloe Singelton coming back in next week, they have one or two injuries and it’s going to be another battle for us, as are all the games.

“We’re going to embrace it and bring our confidence from this game into it, even though we lost,” Hewitt said, speaking to extratime.com after last Saturday’s loss to DLR Waves.

MATCH STATS

Both sides have lost their last two games.

Athlone Town are looking for their first win of the season on Saturday.

Galway and Athlone Town have faced each other just once in the WNL with the Tribeswomen running out 3-0 winners last August thanks to a Lynsey McKey hattrick.

BETTING

Galway 4/11; Draw 16/5; Treaty United 5/1.

PREDICTION

Galway 2–1 Athlone Town

Galway

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Rachel Kearns, Keara Cormican.

Suspended: None.

Athlone Town

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.