Longford Town 0 - 2 Athlone Town

• Deniese O'Flaherty
• Sun, Sep 18 2011


When he lost his influential striker Austin Skelly just before kick-off with a calf injury, Longford Town manager Tony Cousins had a feeling it wasn’t going to be his night. That’s the way it turned out as his side lost 2-0 to midlands rivals Athlone Town in the final El Classico of the season.

After the four meetings (including the EA Sports Cup game) between these two sides this season the midlands derby could be renamed ‘Far from El Classico’ because each game was very poor with the standard of football dreadful.

On Saturday night the standard of officiating matched the football on show. Referee Keith Callanan was the man very much the centre of attention because of two controversial decisions that didn’t endear him to the home supporters or bench; he awarded a penalty to Athlone in the first half but waved away Longford’s legitimate claims for a spot-kick in the second half.

There was confusion over the penalty that Athlone were awarded in the 17th minute. Photographic and video evidence have since proven that Longford keeper Paul Hunt was unlucky to have been sent-off and Athlone striker Noel McGee would’ve got a 10 for his dive in an Olympic swimming pool.

It was a massive turning point in the game. Town had to sacrifice Daniel Purdy to bring on their sub keeper Noel Cullen, who was on the bench for the first time this season. McGee made no mistake with the spot-kick to make it 2-0 to the visitors and it looked like it was going to be tough for the home side. But apart from one Athlone chance in the second half the rest of the chances were created by Longford but unfortunately, like so many times this season, they failed to find the target and were to rue missed chances.

The home side started the game very well and Des Hope had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring against his former club in the 5th minute; Jacques Morley curled in a corner from the right but Hope’s volley at the back post just went inches wide.

One minute later Athlone went up the other end and made no mistake in finding the back of the net. Kevin Williamson’s cross from the left was finished to the net by McGee; his second goal against Longford this season.

The goal was a blow for Longford and 11 minutes later things got worse for them when netminder Hunt was given his marching orders for allegedly hauling down McGee. The striker dusted himself down and duly dispatched the spot-kick. It looked like it was going to be an uphill struggle for Longford 2-0 down and reduced to 10 men.

Credit to Longford, they took the game to their opponents. Athlone defender Paul Danagher had to be alert to charge down Jacques Morley’s goalbound effort in the 28th minute. The pace of the game died down a little as half-time approached and nothing much was created in terms of chances.

Longford brought on Thomas Crawley at the break and he proved to be a real menace. He showed his manager that maybe he should’ve started the game. Two minutes after the restart and former Athlone player Mark Salmon had a chance to reduce the deficit but his free was turned round the post by Athlone keeper Mark Schlingermann.

It was all Longford as Athlone were happy to sit back and let their opponents come at them. It could’ve proved costly for them. In the 52nd minute Longford were denied a blatant penalty when Danagher appeared to bring down Crawley in the box but the referee waved away the appeals.

Longford continued to press and in the 72nd minute very nearly pulled a goal back; Mark Walshe’s back header completely missed Schlingermann and Crawley bounced on the loose ball but with an open goal at his mercy he hit the side netting. A real let-off for Athlone.

Such was Longford’s dominance after the break Athlone didn’t create their first chance of the second half until the 78th minute; Williamson’s corner was flapped by Cullen but Walshe headed over.

As the clock ticked down Longford laid siege on the Athlone goal; Thomas Hyland drove his low shot wide in the 83rd minute and in the 92nd minute Crawley was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet; the youngster met Craig Walsh’s free but his header came crashing off the upright. It summed up Longford’s night.

Longford Town: Paul Hunt; Thomas Hyland, Jeff Flood, Des Hope, Graham Dowling (Craig Walsh 63); Cathal Brady, Mark Salmon, James O’Brien, Jacques Morley (Thomas Crawley ht); Jean Biansumba, Daniel Purdy (Noel Cullen 19).
Subs not used: Gary Cronin, Daragh Satelle, Sean Skelly.

Bookings: None.
Sendings Off: Paul Hunt (17).

Athlone Town: Michael Schlingermann; Declan Fallon, Mark Walsh, Paul Danagher, Jamie Carr; Damien Rushe (Eoin Monaghan 70), Roy King (Dave Ryan 55), Stephen Relihan, Kevin Williamson, Jason Hughes; Noel McGee (Tommy Barrett 77).
Subs not used: Robbie Murray, Joe Woods, Scott Gaynor.
Bookings: Paul Danagher (65), Dave Ryan (67,) Tommy Barrett (91).

Referee: Keith Callanan (Cork).
extratime.ie Man of the Match: Thomas Crawley (Longford Town) Made a huge difference when he came in and unlucky not to score.