League Preview: Athlone Town -v- Shelbourne

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Mon, Apr 11 2016




ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone Town entertain Shelbourne at Lissywollen in a re-fixed game on Monday night after the original fixture was called off before a ball had been kicked after the floodlights failed (kick-off 7.45pm).

 

Athlone will be heading into this one in buoyant mood after securing a fantastic point against Waterford United on Friday night. The Midlanders headed into half-time of that game down three goals to nil but following a Waterford red card they managed to hit back and secure a 3-3 draw which will no doubt have left suspended Blues manager Roddy Collins, in a foul mood as he watched on from the stands.

 

There is little to choose from between these two as last season’s results showed. Both teams secured two victories a piece as neither managed to secure a place in the play-offs.

 

Athlone manager Alan Mathews has no injury or suspension concerns heading into this contest.

 

 

SHELBOURNE

Shelbourne will make the tough trip to the midlands in search of some floodlights that work in Athlone Town Stadium alongside an equally important search for a victory and those precious three points.

 

Shels will go into this game knowing that they need to get something out of it to kick-start their season and give them realistic hopes of challenging for promotion to the Premier Division after a very disappointing loss to UCD on Friday night in which their misery was compounded by a late sending off to Jamie Doyle.

 

Another casualty of that fixture was Ryan Robinson who suffered a bloody nose early on and was eventually replaced just after the half hour mark. He will join Aidan Collins in the stands for this one while on another sad note, Darragh Gannon has left the club after being advised to stop playing at this level due to a hip injury.

 

Referee: Unknown.

 

 

MATCH STATS

There was little to separate both sides last season with 2 wins a piece in the head to head league games. Expect there to be goals at Lissywollen with a total of 16 produced in last season’s 4 matches.

 

Over the last 27 games between 1994 and 2015 only six have been stalemates while just three games have finished 0-0. Shelbourne have been dominant throughout this period with 17 wins to Athlone Town’s 4.

 

Shels have scored a total of 53 goals with the Town bagging 26 resulting in an average of three goals per game.

 

 

BETTING

Athlone Town 12/5; Draw 12/5; Shelbourne Evens.

 

PREDICTION

Athlone Town 1-1 Shelbourne

 

 

Athlone Town

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

Shelbourne

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.