Longford Town 2-0 Athlone Town

• Deniese O'Flaherty
• Sat, Apr 02 2011


Longford Town moved up to second in the First Division table after defeating their near neighbours Athlone Town 2-0 in the first El Classico of the league season.

Before the game it was all about Keith Gillespie, the new Longford Town signing who was due to make his debut for the club, but his team-mates made sure to let their football do the talking over the 90 minutes.

Longford controlled the first half and should really have gone went in further in front at the break after putting in a commanding performance. Athlone put it up to them in the second half and created several chances but home side netminder Paul Hunt always looked assured and dealt with everything that came his way.

It took the home side four minutes to open the scoring. Mark Salmon’s free, after he was fouled, was deflected out for a corner and winger Jacques Morley swung in the corner from the right which Athlone goalkeeper Michael Schlingermann flapped at, letting the ball curl in past him.

Longford doubled their advantage in the 12th minute. Cathal Brady brought a fine save out of Schlingermann but the loose ball fell to Austin Skelly who shot home from close range. It was the striker’s first for the club and against his former one.

Athlone had nothing to offer in the first half and the home side were in complete control passing the ball around with great ease.

Don Cowan had a chance to grab Longford’s third goal in the 20th minute but his powerful shot from outside the box came smashing off the crossbar. Athlone failed to threaten and their only effort in the opening half came in the 22nd minute; Niall Scullion whipped in a ball from the left but Longford ‘keeper Paul Hunt came out to gather.

Athlone very nearly got back into the game one minute into the second half. Longford substitute Paddy Collins miscontrolled the ball and Scullion pounced on it but Hunt made a terrific one handed save to keep his goal intact.

In the 58th minute Keith Gillespie made his Longford bow when he came on for Skelly. The cheers went up but they were as much for Skelly and his contribution as they were for the former Manchester United winger.

One minute after Cowan had another chance to get his name on the scoresheet but his low drive just went wide of Shlingerman’s post. Minutes later Mark Salmon had a chance but that Athlone ‘keeper saved.

Athlone were, however, a different prospect in the second half and they gave Longford a few frights. Scullion had two further chances while substitute Gary Higgins really should’ve done better with his effort in the 74th minute.

Longford Town: Paul Hunt; Niall O'Reilly (Paddy Collins, ht), Des Hope, Chris Deans, Gary Cronin; Cathal Brady (Craig Walsh, 76mins), Mark Salmon, Thomas Hyland, Jacques Morley; Austin Skelly (Keith Gillespie, 58mins), Don Cowan.|
Subs not used: Aidan Roche, Lee Roche, Stephen Conlon, Jason Oladele.

Athlone Town: Michael Schlingermann; Joe Woods, Jamie Carr, Tommy Barrett, Paul Danaher; Brendan Daly (Ian Sweeney, 64mins), Brian Gill, Niall Scullion (Roy King, 84mins), Robbie Murray; Stephen Relihan, Colm Smith (Gary Higgins, ht).
Subs not used: Ronan Stack, Alex Gardiner, Scott Gaynor, Darren Young.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin(Monaghan).
Attendance: 650.
Extratime Man of the Match: Jacques Morley (Longford Town) – Close call between Morley and Don Cowan but the winger just edged it.