Longford Town come from behind to confirm superiority over Athlone
SSE Airtricity League First Division
Athlone Town . . . 1 Longford Town . . . 2
It was a second consecutive win for Longford to consolidate their strong position in the promotion play-offs but Gary Cronin’s side had to work hard to come out on top at Athlone Town Stadium on Friday night.
The home side broke the deadlock in the 20th minute when the Town keeper Luke Dennison was unable to clear the danger and Shane Barnes shot to the net.
Longford got back on level terms in the 30th minute when a right wing cross from Karl Chambers sailed over the head of the Athlone keeper Smith.
Ryan Graydon broke through to score what proved to be the winning goal in the 34th minute, a fine finish from the Town attacker.
Athlone were reduced to ten men when Dobbin was dismissed for a second yellow card in the 86th minute.
There was a late scare for Longford when Oluwa hit the post in almost snatching the equaliser for Athlone.
The Town are back in league action on Monday night when they travel to Limerick to play Treaty United in the rearranged fixture at the Markets Field, kick-off 7.45pm.
ATHLONE TOWN: Smith, Dobbin, Daly, Van Geenen, Barnes, Oluwa, Connolly, Duffy, McBride, Armstrong, Ubaezuonu.
LONGFORD TOWN: Luke Dennison, Shane Elworthy, Dylan Barnett, Ben Lynch, Karl Chambers, Matthew O’Brien, Aaron Robinson, Dean McMenamy, Ryan Graydon, Eric Molloy, Sam Verdon.
Subs:- Joe Power for Molloy (59 mins); Joe Doyle for O’Brien (71 mins).