Athlone Steal A Win At The Death
Friday 17th May 2013. Airtricity League Division 1
Salthill Devon 1-2 Athlone Town.
A Philly Gorman header, one minute from full time, gave Athlone all three points in a game they really looked lucky to be drawing against Salthill Devon in Drom.
The home team opened the scoring inside the opening ten minutes when Jakub Tomanica cut in on the left, skipping past Roddy Collins Jnr like he wasn’t there, to unleash a powerful shot that flew past Paul Skinner and into the top corner of the net.
Willie Enubele came close to doubling the lead but as he rose for a header, a mix up in communication saw his team mate Cian Fadden clatter into him and the danger was averted.
In midfield, Mark Hughes stepped up to the plate to combat the physical presence of former Town midfielder Mixie Harty, while Ryan Coombes dropped to the bench allowing Barry Clancy and Ian Sweeney play on the wings as Philly Gorman returned to partner Garbhan Coughlan up front.
And it was Coughlan who came closest to leveling in the first half but for a fine save from James Keane in the Salthill goal. More brave goalkeeper ensured Gorman didn’t get on the score sheet in the first half too, while Salthill themselves had chances with Enda Curran causing the Town defense problems in every attack.
Ten minutes into the second half Athlone pulled level when Ian Sweeney, who had a relatively quiet first half, placed the ball past Keane from close range after good work from Coughlan.
With chances both sides, and Salthill having more attacking play than Athlone, it looked like the visitors had done just enough to hang on for a point. That was until the final minute of normal time, when Philly Gorman rose to head the ball past Keane and in off the post for a last gasp winner.
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Conor McMahon tussles with Mixie Harty during Fridays encounter in Drom
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