Athlone Town -v- Mervue United
Credit:
ATHLONE TOWN
After a promising start to their campaign Athlone had started to look over their shoulders as they began to slide down the first division table.
Recent form has been better and victory over Finn Harps, their first win away in Finn Park since 1992, has breathed new life into their quest for a play-off place at the end of the season.
Mick Kerley will no doubt have been impressed by Stephen Relihan who scored for the Midlanders on his first start of the season and his team will be highly motivated as victory over Mervue could see them jump into third place if results go their way.
Athlone will be boosted by the return of Mark Sherlock, after sitting out last weekend’s win in Ballybofey due to suspension, as they will attempt to win their last home game until Waterford United travel to Lissywoollen on June 22nd.
MERVUE UNITED
The omens don’t look good for United on their trip to Athlone as they haven’t managed to overcome Mick Kerley’s men since they joined the league in 2009.
Mervue come into the game on the back of a two-nil defeat to Limerick City at Jackman Park and will seek to address a defensive record that has seen them concede 14 goals on their travels, the highest in the division.
Manager Johnny Glynn was impressed with his side’s performance in the defeat against Limerick and believes they have given themselves something to build on.
“Athlone are certainly our bogey team and are currently going very well, so this will provide us with another big challenge this week. Gary Kelly and Alan Murphy will be big losses for this away game for us also. I thought we performed quite well last week and being down to ten men when we conceded the first goal didn’t help, but we did well with ten men (after Gary Kelly’s red card) and will look to build on that this week.”
Referee: Andrew Mullally
MATCH STATS
Athlone Town have won the last five meetings between the two clubs including all three of last year’s meetings and the earlier meeting this season when a Joe Wood strike secured all three points for the Midlanders.
Over the course of the three and a bit seasons since Mervue joined the league the sides have met 10 times with Athlone winning seven, Mervue two and the other finishing in a 2-2 draw.
Seven of the games have been decided by a 1-0 scoreline
BETTING:
Athlone Town 10/11 Draw 23/10 Mervue United 11/4
PREDICTION:
Athlone Town 2 Mervue United 0
Athlone Town Injury News: Roy King, Joe Woods and Paul Danaher (all knee)
Athlone Town Suspension News: None
Mervue United Injury News: Tom King (knee), Kenny Farrell (ankle), Martin Conneely (groin), Brian O’Donoghue (hand). Doubt – Alan Murphy (back)
Mervue Suspension News: Gary Kelly
