League Preview: Athlone Town -v- Galway

ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone Town will be looking for a repeat of their last meeting with Galway when the sides face each other on Tuesday night in the Women’s National League (kick-off 7pm).

The Town emerged 4-3 winners at Eamonn Deacy Park in May with Katelyn Keogh, Kellie Brennan and two goals from Muireann Devaney securing the victory for Tommy Hewitt’s side on the day.

Athlone have failed to win a game since, although three draws from their last five games would suggest that they are in reasonably good form coming into Tuesday night’s fixture.

Their most recent draw was against the impressive DLR Waves on Saturday with Hewitt’s young side putting in a strong performance to hold the Dublin side to a 1-1 draw at the UCD Bowl.

Jetta Berrill put Waves in the lead in the first half but Athlone’s Kellie Brennan won a penalty in the 71^st minute and the midfielder was able to slot the ball past Eve Badana to give the side another point and bring them off the bottom of the table.

The Town have shown themselves to be no pushovers this season and Galway know all about it, if they can break down the defence early on and nab a goal they can put themselves in a great position to secure some points on Tuesday night.

GALWAY

The Tribeswomen come into Tuesday night’s fixture on the back of two losses in the WNL, but the nature of the performances in both games will be cause to give Stephen Lally’s side some confidence when they face Athlone Town.

A 1-0 loss to Wexford Youths and a 2-1 loss to Shelbourne, two teams challenging for the WNL title, Galway looking strong defensively and like they could secure a result in both games bodes well for this week’s fixture.

They are a lot tighter defensively than when the Town scored four at Eamonn Deacy Park in May and if Galway can put together more attacking moves they might be able to grab a few goals and head back to Galway with the three points.

Lynsey McKey scored her sixth of the season when Galway met Shelbourne on Saturday, the forward’s goal was a top notch long range effort and a sign of what Lally’s side can still do on the attack despite the fact they haven’t been scoring freely in recent weeks.

Hannah Walsh made her debut in goal for Galway on Saturday and the ‘keeper made several important saves to hold the Reds to just two goals.

If the 18 year old can bring that kind of form into Tuesday’s game Athlone could find it very hard to get the ball into the back of the net.

MATCH STATS

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

Athlone Town won the last meeting between the sides with Muireann Devaney scoring a dramatic late winner to give Tommy Hewitt’s side a 4-3 victory at Eamonn Deacy Park.

The Tribeswomen are looking for their first win in six games on Tuesday night while the Town are looking for their first win in eight.

PREDICTION

Athlone Town 1–2 Galway

Athlone Town

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.

Galway

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.