Athlone Town 2 - 0 SD Galway
Credit:
Athlone Town made it three wins from three games in 2012 against bottom club SD Galway when two first half goals from Jason Hughes and Tommy Barrett secured full points at Lissywollen on Friday night.
Hughes opened the scoring midway through the first half when he cut in from the right after gaining possession from a throw in to fire a low shot past Liam Grant, the visiting keeper. The lead was doubled after 29 minutes from a corner kick as centre half Barrett headed home from close range after Brian McCarthy had flicked on Val Feeney's delivery. Athlone had a number of other chances to end the game as a contest but had to settle for a two goal half time advantage.
A treble substitution at half time improved matters for the visitors but they were unable to reduce the deficit in spite of having some good chances to get on the score sheet. Charlie Burke, Timmy Molloy and Michael Harty all played their part in the revival as the home side hung on grimly at times to the lead.
After 54 minutes McCarthy cleared a shot from Burke off the line after Pat Jennings had dropped a left wing cross. Five minutes later Jennings reacted better when he tipped a long range effort from Mike Tierney over the bar with Paddy Quinlan and Cian Fadden having further chances as the half progressed.
Athlone recovered from the onslaught and substitute Ian Sweeney sent a free kick just over the bar while Mark Sherlock fired wide as full time approached. Sweeney had a final chance to make it three in stoppage time but his low cross cum shot was cleared by the SD Galway defence.
Athlone: Pat Jennings; Joe Woods, Tommy Barrett (Lee Sung 46), Brian McCarthy, Niall Scullion (Ian Sweeney 74); Jason Hughes, Val Feeney (Noel McGee 52), Brian Gill, Damien Rushe, Kevin Williamson; Mark Sherlock.
Subs not used: Sean Guerins, Jordan Conroy, Ethan Keogh and Brian Collopy.
Bookings: Barrett (45), Sung (64), Jennings (66), Gill (70).
SD Galway: Liam Grant; Tommy Bradshaw (Timmy Molloy 46), Paddy Quinlan, Cian Fadden, Nicky Curran; Eugene Greaney, Willie Enubele, Gerry Dolan, Luke McConnell (Michael Harty 46); Enda Curran (Charlie Burke 46), Mike Tierney.
Subs not used: Brian Geraghty, Fatmadh Dunisha, James Keane and Ronan Burke.
Bookings: McConnell (25), Fadden (82).
Referee: Conor Fitzgerald (Dublin).
Attendance: 225.
