Not So Hot Start For The Rod Squad
Saturday 9th March 2013. Airtricity League Division 1
Athlone Town 0-0 Mervue United.
Athlone Town got their season underway with a disappointing draw against Mervue United at a bitterly cold Athlone Town Stadium. The Town team had an unfamiliar look about it, with Neil Harney the only member of last seasons squad to make the starting line up.
Despite appearing the stronger side during periods of the first half, Athlone failed to have any impact up front. At the other end, Barry Clancy filling in at left back contributed to the attack with some defence splitting passes, but alas none of the moves could be converted into chances of note. Mervue on the other hand will feel disappointed not to have gone into the break a goal, if not more, in front.
Paul Skinner in the Athlone goal acted quickly to cut out chances from Ryan Manning, while Roddy Collins Jnr almost beat his own keeper with a header before Martin Connelly saw a header of his own bounce off the top of the crossbar.
Despite some battling play in midfield from Niall Lanigan, the second half proved to be just as dour as the first with Athlone again showing little in the final third of the pitch, while a lack of accuracy from Mervue saw the game peter out as a scoreless draw.
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Niall Lanigan launches an attack for Athlone
AC Sports Images 