EA Sports Cup Preview: Athlone Town -v- Longford Town

The second ‘Midlands El Clasico’ of the season is on the menu as Athlone Town host near neighbours Longford Town in an EA Sports Cup First Round tie. (Kick-off 7:45 PM)

ATHLONE TOWN

It is safe to say that Athlone’s fairy tale start to the season has dwindled down dramatically in recent weeks. After winning their opening two league games against Waterford and Wexford, they were not just beaten but they were comprehensively beaten in the next three league games by tonight’s opponent, Cobh Ramblers and Shelbourne.

That trend looked like continuing against an in-form Cabinteely side at the Athlone Town Stadium last Friday night, especially with being 3-1 down with 4 minutes left. But they managed to peg it back to 3-3 at the death thanks to a Walter Invernizzi strike and injury-time goals from Conor Barry and Jason Lyons.

The Shannonsiders can view this game as a welcome distraction from their poor league form and off-the-field difficulties. A win tonight would regain some confidence and their league form could be rejuvenated as a result.

In last year’s EA Sports cup, they received a bye into the Second Round but were dispatched 3-0 by Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght Stadium.

The Hoops scored three unanswered goals with Rovers’ younger contingent making up most of the team and all of the goal scorers.

They faced Letterkenny Rovers in the FAI Cup Second Round last year but had to face them twice, eventually winning 0-1 in a replay. In the Third Round, they were comprehensively beaten by the Tallaght men again, this time 0-5.

So if they were to progress tonight, let’s just hope they don’t draw the Dublin club again shall we!

It goes without saying, but Athlone fans will hope the fairytale start they have witnessed has not run out of steam.

LONGFORD TOWN

Longford held title favourites Waterford FC to a scoreless draw at the City Calling Stadium last Friday night.

That result was largely down to the brilliance of goalkeeper Paul Skinner, who saved a Waterford penalty.

That is an impressive result in its own right considering the form both sides were in coming into the game but it still left De Town without a win at home in the league since October 2015.

It is a significant game for boss Alan Matthews, as he was manager of Athlone for over a year in the period from May 2015-June 2016. Matthews had not done well at Lissywoolen but was popular with fans. He decided to resign though as off-the-field financial struggles prompted his departure.

In last year’s EA Sports Cup First Round, they were beaten 1-3 by Bohemians in Dalymount Park. In the FAI Cup, they were undone by Cork City, losing 1-4 at home.

So last year their cup runs were not the best but boss Alan Mathews will want to put in a good run this year, starting with Athlone tonight.

Longford have not found the net in their last four games so that could be an alarming trait. From their perspective, they will be echoing the phrase ‘Goals win games.’

From everyone associated with De Town, they will concur with this analogy and hope it starts off with the slaying again of Athlone in the ‘Midlands El Clasico’.

With Longford being a much better away side than home and the fact they have beaten Athlone at the same venue a few weeks back, this is an intriguing game in store tonight.

Referee: Unknown

MATCH FACTS

The sides have met each other competitively 29 times; with Athlone winning 8 to Longford’s 15 victories. There has been 8 draws.

The last time the two sides met in the league was a few weeks ago, in Gameweek 3 in which Longford won 0-3 in Lissywoolen thanks to a David O’Sullivan hat-trick.

The last time the two sides met in a Cup game was in the FAI Cup game which was played at Lissywoolen in 2014. The away side won 0-2.

Ex-Longford man Ryan Gaffey will look to impress his old outfit when he plays for his new club as will winger Ian Fletcher moved from Athlone to Longford in the off season.

These two, along with Alan Matthews, share a common connection between the clubs.

There has been an average of 1.15 goals per match, in other words the game between the pair have been tightly contested.

Athlone’s form in their last five games reads: DLLLW

Longford’s form coming into the game is: DLLLW

MATCH BETTING

Athlone Town 23/10; Draw 12/5; Longford Town 10/11

PREDICTION

Athlone Town 0-1 Longford Town

Athlone Town

Injured: Unknown

Doubtful: Unknown

Suspended: None

Longford Town

Injured: Unknown

Doubtful: Unknown

Suspended: None