Longford Town away to Athlone in midlands derby

Yes it’s that time again, the game of the season takes place in Athlone on this Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm) when all form goes out the window.

Longford Town FC are sitting in fourth place after two great results over the weekend. On Friday they had a 1-0 victory over Treaty United with the only goal coming from striker Daragh Murtagh in the 24th minute.

On the Bank Holiday Monday evening against Finn Harps, the Town took the lead when Dean Williams slotted home on 32 minutes.

Finn Harps lost midfielder Bosakani on the stroke of half-time for a bad tackle - a straight red card. Two goals early on in the second half from Daniel McKenna on 49 mins and in-form striker Daragh Murtagh on 52 mins finished the game as a contest.

Both clubs brought on 5 subs as manager Wayne Groves blooded some of the recent signings.

Team captain Alex O’Brien scored no 4 on 83 mins but the score of the game came on 89 mins and it was a really good goal which came from sub James Bailey who scored possibly the goal of the season giving the Harps keeper no chance.

The two victories over the weekend has given the Town a good hold on 4th position but we need to keep the pressure on as we chase a place in the play off semi-finals at the end of the season.

The Town panel is getting younger by the day as the team that started against Finn Harps had seven players under 21, two under 23 and two under 26.

On the bench there were six players all under 19 which is unbelievable and Stefan Ugbesia who came on for Dean Williams is only 21.

The Town have already played Athlone twice this season and they have the upper hand to date. The teams met in Athlone in early April and that game ended with Athlone winning 2-0.

Sean Moore picked up a red card on 55 mins and there is no doubt the result would be different if we had 11.

Peter Grogan scored twice for Athlone against Cork on Monday but they lost 3-2.

The Town’s second game with Athlone played in early May ended 1-1.

Cillian Tollett got his name on the scoresheet again and the Town’s equaliser came from Osaze Irhue. Looking at these stats we need to pick up three points on Friday and Athlone will no doubt be up for this game especially when it’s at home

The Town will be looking to get another three points to add to the six won over the bank holiday weekend.

The loss of Osaze Irhue through injury is another bad blow to the team and the squad with Dean George, Jamie Egan and Aaron Doran also on the casualty list.

Last season the teams played each other 4 times and the Town have the bragging rights after two wins and two draws.

The first meeting was on the 1st of March and the game ended all square on a 1-1 scoreline. Ben Feeney scored for Athlone on 30 mins but Aaron Doran replied from the penalty spot on 37 mins. The second meeting between the clubs at the end of April also resulted in a 1-1 draw. Gideon Tetteh gave the home side the lead on 66 mins but Daragh Murtagh equalised for the Town in stoppage time.

The third meeting between the clubs was at the end of June and the Town won a five goal thriller. Aaron Doran was the Town’s goalscoring hero with two goals and Emmanuel James got the winner in the 88th minute. People are still asking why he isn’t playing for the Town this year, unfortunately I don’t know.

The last meeting between the clubs last season was in mid October in Athlone. Colm Doyle gave Athlone the lead on 8 mins but the Town struck back in the second half with goals from that man again Aaron Doran on 47 mins and Stefan Ugbesia scored the winner on 54 mins.

The Town expect a very large following at the game on Friday night and the support could get us over the line in what could be a real cracker. Games like this in Lissywollen are good for the First Division and for both clubs.

If we play up to our potential we should be good enough to pick up the points.

After Friday’s game we go into the last nine games and it will be tough to keep in the play-off positions until the end of the season.

It was nice to see Johnny Martin and his dad at the game against Harps on Monday evening.

Johnny is the top man in the FAI at the moment and it was great to have him back as he brings back great memories of when he wore the red and black. His father Paul played with near neighbours Athlone Town many years ago and he was an excellent player also.

Bus to FAI Cup match against Bohemians

Full details in next week’s paper