League Preview: Athlone Town -v- Cabinteely

ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone Town were one of the teams affected by the bad weather over the past week with their league opener, away to Galway United last Friday night, being postponed due to a water logged pitch at Eamonn Deacy Park.

The focus for Adrian Carberry’s side now turns to this Friday night with Cabinteely making the visit to Athlone Town Stadium for the first time this season (kick-off 7.45pm).

It was August 2016 when Athlone last beat Cabinteely. The Dublin side have pushed on somewhat since then while The Town have continued to consistently finished near the bottom of the First Division table.

The Midlands side are beginning this season with a lot of new and young faces, commentators are predicting the side to struggle and it would be no surprise if they showed signs of that struggle on Friday night.

CABINTEELY

Cabinteely kicked their season off in style with a comprehensive victory over South Dublin rivals Bray Wanderers last Friday night.

Kieran Marty Waters, Vilius Labutis and a brace from Keith Dalton were enough to see off Bray 4-2 in Stradbrook last week and that kind of fire power could cause major troubles for an as yet untested Athlone Town defence.

Beating Bray in such a fashion last week could be a sign that the Dublin side have been underestimated once again this season but only time will tell.

They head into Friday night’s game as red hot favourites and they have a great chance to notch up a second win in a row against Athlone Town.



Referee: Michael Connolly

 

MATCH STATS

In three meetings between the sides in 2019, Cabinteely won twice. The teams drew 2-2 when Cabinteely visited the Midlands last June.

Cabinteely’s Ciaran Grogan was on the books at Athlone last season and he could make his debut against his old club on Friday night.

BETTING



Athlone Town 4/1; Draw 3/1; Cabinteely 8/15.

PREDICTION

Athlone Town 0–3 Cabinteely

 

Athlone Town

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

Cabinteely

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.