Athlone Town 2 - 2 Salthill Devon

• Simon O'Gorman
• Sat, May 15 2010


Austin Skelly broke Salthill hearts at Lisseywoolen on Saturday night as Athlone Town came back from two goals down against bottom club Salthill Devon to earn a well deserved point, in what was their sixth draw of the season.

The opening forty five minutes of this game must have been immensely frustrating for the home support as Athlone Town totally dominated and should have gone in for their half time break several goals to the good. As it turned out it was Salthill who left the field one goal up thanks to a 45th minute breakthrough manufactured by Shane Browne wide on the left and finished with aplomb by striker Damien O’Reilly.

If only Athlone had a striker with such predatory instincts. Robbie Farrell indicated that it might be a tricky night for Athlone when he ’fresh-aired’ some fifteen yards from goal as early as the first minute.

But as the game developed it became clear that the home side would not be left short of scoring opportunities. Caffrey and Benson were excellent in central midfield and young James Goggins was a source of great potential wide on the left. It was a shame then that so many of their chances fell to defenders.

After 21 minutes a solid line of green shirts stood still as Brian McCarthy loped through on goal, the linesman’s flag pointed squarely at the turf. His attempt to chip keeper, Ronan Forde, drifted high and wide.

Robbie Benson found himself similarly clear of the Salthill defence five minutes later following an elegant one-two with Farrell but he shot straight at Forde. It was one way traffic and McCarthy, O’Shea, Farrell and Goggins all had opportunities to score but poor finishing let them down every time.

In the 37th minute the home supporter’s frustration was audible in the stands when Goggins and Watson left the ball to each other on the edge of Salthill’s six yard box. The ball rolled harmlessly out for a goal kick.

But the real kick in the teeth came moments before half time. Shane Browne, having worked the left flank tirelessly for little reward suddenly found the key to Athlone’s defence. He found O’Reilly in space on the penalty spot and he finished well. Against all the odds the visitors were ahead.

As the second half got under way, Athlone manager, Brendan Place introduced Austin Skelly and Niall Scullion for Gordon Watson and Richie O’Hanlon in a clear attempt to add more beef to Athlone’s play. Within six minutes of coming on Skelly had squared up to Mike Quirke and phase two of this curious game was underway.

But things were not about to get better for Athlone. With 54 minutes played Shane Stenson picked out the run of Marcin Maranek with a perfectly judged through ball. As Maranek raced down the right touch- line his options seemed thin. Perhaps it was a shot, or perhaps it was a cross, either way, he struck the ball venomously from thirty five yards and it sailed high over Chris Bennion’s head and into the top corner of the net.

Despite the loss of a second goal Skelly and Scullion were having the desired effect. Suddenly the chances that had been wasted so passively in the first half were beginning to generate real excitement in the home crowd. Scullion found the ball at his feet inside the box but Forde and then Geraghty thwarted his efforts. Then Robbie Benson drove a volley wide. But Athlone got the goal they deserved on 62 minutes.

Scullion created it, threading a square ball across the Salthill box where Skelly found himself in ocean’s of space just six yards out. He took his time, picked his spot and put Athlone back in the game.

David Shovlin and Gerry Dolan came on for Salthill but they couldn’t offer more than Daryl Horgan and Shane Brown who they replaced. The Athlone pressure increased.

After 72 minutes a free kick from Caffrey eventually made its way to Skelly at Salthill’s back post but the flag was up and his flicked finish was ruled out. Caffrey, Benson, Scullion and Skelly played some genuinely attractive football as they continued to surge forwards and on 78 minutes their efforts pulled Athlone level.

Of course it was Austin Skelly who was in the right place at the right time. A Caffrey corner fell on the six yard box and as Salthill dithered the big number 14 poked the ball past Forde.

The remainder of the game was a blur of blue and black as Athlone sought a winner but despite a close range header by McCarthy from a Benson corner that drove into the turf and hurtled towards goal, Forde was planted where he needed to be and the game ended two goals apiece.

Honours even then, but Salthill return home having had a first league win in their sights before allowing it to slip away and Athlone retired from the field knowing that they had enough chances to win this comfortably.

Athlone Town: Bennion; Nolan, O’Connell, O’Shea, McCarthy; O’Hanlon (Scullion, 45), Benson, Caffrey, Goggins; Farrell (Broughall, 83), Watson (Skelly, 45).
Subs not used: Schlingerman, Relihan

Bookings: Athlone - Caffrey, O’Hanlon, Scullion.

Salthill Devon: Forde; Geraghty, O’Leidhinn, Quinlan, Whelan; Brown (Dolan, 71), Maranek, Stenson (McConnell, 83), Quirke; Horgan (Shovlin, 63)O’Reilly.
Subs not used: Burke, Kennedy.

Bookings: Salthill - Quinlan, Browne.

extratime.ie Man of the Match: Austin Skelly.

Referee: Phil Caschera

??Attendance: 400.