Waterford United 0 - 0 Athlone Town

• Brendan White
• Fri, Mar 04 2011


Waterford United v Athlone Town in Pictures - by Sean Dempsey

Waterford United and Athlone Town played out a dour 0-0 draw at the RSC on Friday night in the opening series of the Airtricity First Division.

Athlone Town will be very happy with a hard earned point but for the home side they will rue their dominance but lack of creativity. Chances were few and far between throughout the game with Blues keeper Kevin Burns a spectator in the second half while his counterpart Michael Schlingermann dealt with all that the home side threw at him.

Paul Murphy had the opening chance when he got on the end of a Gary Dunphy cross but he miscued his strike. Waterford United had the ball in the back of the net after ten minutes. Paul Murphy crossed to the back post where Kenny Browne had his close range effort saved by Schlingermann. Gary Keane fired the rebound to the net but it was ruled off for offside.

Athlone Town had their first chance after 18 minutes but Gary Higgins blazed over the crossbar. Schlingermann was in action again when he palmed away a Gary Dunphy cross. Waterford United could have had a penalty two minutes before half time after Conor Sinnott was upended in the area but referee Graham Kelly waved play on.

Paul Murphy had the opening chance of the second half but he fired his volley over the bar after a long throw from Seamus Long. Minutes later Long collected the first booking of the game after a poor challenge on Gary Higgins.

As Athlone Town settled for a point and kept 10 behind the ball, Waterford United struggled to break down the defensively brilliant white wall. Kevin Murray then went close but his header went just wide of the target.

Schlingermann kept his side in the game with five minutes remaining with an excellent save from a Gary Dunphy strike. Seamus Long had the next chance for the home side but he headed over from a Conor Sinnott corner kick.

The last chance of the game arrived to centre-back Kenny Browne but, although looking in an offside position, he failed to seriously test Schlingermann.

A poor game overall lacking any real urgency from either team but both teams will be pleased to remain unbeaten after the opening weekend.

Waterford United: Kevin Burns; Lee Chin (David Breen 81'), Kevin Murray, Kenny Browne, Seamus Long; Shane Barrett (Shane Dempsey 81'), Conor Sinnott, Gary Dunphy, Dwayne Wilson (Michael Rafter 65'); Gary Keane, Paul Murphy.
Subs not used: Brian Nolan, Paul Carey, Josh Byrne.

Bookings: Long (52)

Athlone Town: Michael Schlingermann; Niall Scullion, Jamie Carr, Tommy Barrett, Paul Danaher; Stephen Relihan, Kevin Williamson, Gary Higgins (Darren Young 76'), Brian Gill; Alan Coffey (Ronan Stack 72'), Colm Smith.
Subs not used: Scott Gaynor.

Bookings: Relihan (62).

Referee: Graham Kelly (Cork)
Man of the Match: Conor Sinnott.