Monaghan  United  v  Athlone Town

This will be Monaghan United’s second game of the weekend.  On Friday they had a comfortable 4-1 win  against Wexford Youths

On the last occasion that Monaghan United and Athlone Town met which was at Lisswollen and when the home side went four goals clear in the 65^th minute it looked like Monaghan United who had an impressive away record were going out with a bang. However five minutes later the visitors got one back and Lazarus like they awoke from the dead and believe it or not it was the home support who were calling for the final whistle because by the time it sounded United were back on level terms at 4-4 and were confining the play to the Athlone penalty area, if they had got another few minutes United would have collected the points. When Athlone last visited Gortakeegan at the start of the season the sides shared the points in a scoreless draw.  At that stage it looked like this might be the midlands! side season to advance to the Premier.  It is hard to know what happened Athlone in the meantime, indeed when in that last game they were heading United 4-0 they deserved their lead, but probably they manner in which they responded to United getting the first goal back was a good indicator of their make up because never have I seen a team with a three lead panic before.

Athlone are managed by former United player –Brendan Place and fortunately he hasn’t had too much success against his old club. On present form of the two sides Monaghan should again collect all three points, however they have a tough away match before that on Friday against Wexford Youths so manager-Mick Cooke will be hoping to come away unscathed from Ferrycarrig Park.

Athlone go into this game after an excellent share of the points  with league leaders Derry City, that result meant that there are now only two points separating Monaghan United from Derry City at the top so a win tonight would lift United into top position, no better motivation point.

Prediction home.

Injuries :-  none,        

Suspensions :  Karl Bermingham.

Previous 5 results

Next 5 Games

Manager Quotes ““We commence what will be one of the most important fortnights in Monaghan United’s club with our participation in the two cup games; however for the moment our most pressing performance will be this game against Athlone Town in the first Division, indeed a win would put us on top of the table for the moment.  But I am sure Brendan Place will believe he and his side will have something to say about that.  It was an excellent performance by Athlone Town against league leaders Derry City on Friday night that is responsible for giving us this opportunity of overtaking the! Foylesiders tonight.

At the start of the season we shared the points on Athlone’s previous visit to Gortakeegan  in a scoreless draw, unlike our visit to Lissywollen for the next encounter there wasn’t anything very memorable about the game.  In that second game I saw our side give possible the worst and the best performance of the season all in the period of ninety minutes.  With 20 minutes to go we were 4-0 down only to frustrate the home side to come back and draw level.  Certainly on this occasion we cannot afford to be so generous, have no doubt but Athlone will be coming here to make atonement.

We had another good performance against Wexford Youths with many of the players having personal bests.  We were probably a bit slow to start and maybe showed Wexford too much respect in the opening quarter of an hour but after that I felt we were in full control and weren’t flattered by the winning score line.  We will require more of the same against Athlone.

We are down to the last eight games of the season, so let’s keep our focus.”