- Josh Dolan
- Sat, Mar 21 2015
Athlone Town scored two late goals to see off Collie O’Neill’s UCD on Friday night in a game where the Students were reduced to ten men for a long period in the second half.
The Students opened the scoring through Conor Cannon in the first half only for Phillip Gorman to equalize nine minutes from time, before Gorman struck once again in the second minute of second half stoppage time to give Athlone all three points.
UCD had the first real chance of the game after nine minutes, as Conor Cannon skipped past a couple of Athlone challenges, before laying off to Gary O’Neill, but his effort was well matched by Shane Cusack in the Town goal.
Athlone had a fair share of possession in the first half, but the chances were falling the way of The Students. Forward Cannon became the latest to test his luck 17 minutes in, as he rose highest to head Chris Mulhall's cross into the safe hands of Cusack.
Cannon tried his luck again seven minutes later, as he saw his free kick blocked by the Athlone wall, before seeing the volleyed rebound deflect onto Cusack’s cross-bar. Phillip Gorman had the Midlands’ side first real effort a couple minute before the half hour, as he latched onto a cross from the right, only to see his effort sail just wide of Niall Corbet’s post.
UCD nearly took the lead with a training ground routine three minutes after the half hour mark, as Mulhall’s freekick found Gary O’Neill 30 yards out, but his effort sailed just over the Athlone bar. Athlone had a chance of their own moments later, as Phillip Gorman latched onto an Eric Foley pass, before rifling a powerful effort into the gloves of UCD netminder Corbet.
The home side took the lead five minutes before the break, as Jamie Doyle won the ball off Town’s defenders, before finding himself bundled over on the edge of the box. The ball then fell to Cannon, who finished calmly past Cusack. Gorman had a chance to equalize seconds later, as he got onto a ball from the left, but his close range effort went just wide of the near post.
Athlone started quickly in the second half and gained an advantage on 56 minutes, as Marco Chindea raced past The Students defence, before being clipped by left back Sean Coyne, who was adjudged to have denied a goalscoring opportunity and as a result was given his marching orders.
Athlone came close to a leveler moments later, as Gorman saw his glancing header cleared off the goalline by 18 year-old Daniel Tobin. Athlone were piling on the pressure and probably should have had an equalizer just after the hour mark, as Gorman rose to meet Phillip Hand’s cross, but his header lacked sufficient power to trouble Corbet.
Maxim Kouogun was making just his second start in the league for The Students and came to their rescue on 69 minutes, as he cleared Doyle’s powerful goal-bound effort off the goalline. Chances continued to come for Wallace’s side. Coughlan latched onto a long ball, but his looping header was well claimed by Corbet.
The Town created yet another chance on 80 minutes, as Coughlan latched onto a long ball, before volleying across the box, but none of his teammates could divert the ball goalwards. However, the goal Athlone deserved finally came eight minutes from time, as Gavin Boyne’s cross from the left was scooped home by the ever-potent Gorman.
Eddie Wallace’s side then stole all three points in stoppage time, as Gorman grabbed his second by heading the ball off the underside of the bar and into the UCD goal.
UCD:Niall Corbet; Daniel Tobin, Maxim Kouugun, Ryan McLaughlin, Sean Coyne; Chris Mulhall, Gary O’Neill, Dylan Watts, Greg Sloggett, Jamie Doyle (Samir Belhout 84); Conor Cannon (Ryan Swan 60).
Subs Not Used:Conor Mackey (gk), Jack Watson, Eoin Kirwan.
Booked:Kouogun (21).
Sent Off: Coyne (56).
Athlone Town:Shane Cusack; Stephen Quigley, Stephen Dunne, Aidan Collins, Phillip Hand; Marco Chindea, Eric Foley, Thomas Mulroney (Gavin Boyne 46), Garbhan Coughlan, Derek Doyle; Phillip Gorman.
Subs Not Used: Patrick Dunican (gk), Ryan Doolin, Gary Burke, Daniel Purdy, Michael Browne, Sam O’Connor.
Booked:G Coughlan (42).
Referee:Paula Brady (Dublin).
Attendance: 200 (estimate).
Extratime.ie Man of The Match: Phillip Gorman (Athlone Town).
