Sam Verdon scores winner as unbeaten Longford Town overcome Athlone
SSE Airtricity League First Division - Round 5
Athlone Town . . . 0 Longford Town . . . 1
It was a vital result for Neale Fenn’s side in their quest to finish in the top four and a place in the promotion play-offs with the possibility of a serious challenge for the First Division title.
Verdon shot to the net from close range after a surging run by Shane Elworthy at the Athlone Town Stadium and Longford Town remain the only unbeaten side so far in the current league campaign.
The astro turf pitch in Athlone didn’t help at times but Longford played some very good football throughout with their midfield maestro Aodh Dervin producing another terrific performance.
Longford enjoyed the greater share of the possession but the passing in the final third let them down on a few occasions. Athlone had chances but couldn’t find a way past Lee Steacy with the Town keeper pulling off a fantastic save in the 6th minute to deny former Longford player Kealan Dillon.
ATHLONE TOWN: Aaron Myles; Lloyd Buckley, Ciaran Grogan, Gavin Kearney, Dean Casey; Aaron Brilly, Kealan Dillon, Shane Dunne, Kaleem Simon; Darren Meenan; Dean Williams.
Subs:- Evan Price for Williams (64 mins); Kyle Hogan for Dunne (73 mins); Shane Stokes for Brilly (80 mins).
LONGFORD TOWN: Lee Steacy; Shane Elworthy, Mick McDonnell, Conor Kenna, Anto Breslin; Peter Hopkins, Aodh Dervin, Dean Zambra, Dean Byrne; Sam Verdon, Aaron Dobbs.
Subs:- Jamie Doyle for Dobbs (79 mins); Karl Chambers for Hopkins (84 mins); Paul O’Conor for Verdon (88 mins).
Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).