Mervue United -v- Athlone Town

MERVUE UNITED

As we enter the final series of league games this weekend the matches become all the more crucial, that said fourth placed Mervue United need to gain a positive result from their home tie with league leaders Athlone Town at Fahy’s Field if they are to hold any hopes of a play-off position.

With only a single point taken from their last two games, Friday evening’s game becomes all the more important for Johnny Glynn’s side, as defeat would leave them well off the pace. On the plus side their home form this season has been impressive, only one defeat to date against Longford back in May, six wins and three draws as they have been very hard to overcome at Fahy’s Field.

Having won three and drawn one in a four game unbeaten run since a 3-0 away defeat to Athlone after the mid-season break, it all looked good for the Galway side. An away defeat in a five goal thriller with Cobh and last week’s scoreless draw at home to Wexford Youths were both winnable games, but only a single point was gained.

Glynn can call on the creative flair of both Jason Molloy and Ryan Manning once again on Friday evening as both return from one game suspensions to bolster the home teams attacking threat. Midfielders Gary Curran and Gary Kelly are also both fit again and will be included in the squad.

Glynn is under no illusions with the task facing them on Friday night as he told the club’s website.

“Athlone are on a fantastic run and are worthy of their position at the top of the table and will prove a very tough challenge for us in what should be a very interesting game. We were disappointed with last week’s result as we missed the best chances of the game but we must forget about that and concentrate on Friday’s game now.”

ATHLONE TOWN

Roddy Collins side have put a storming run together since losing their last game in the league back in May, a 1-0 home defeat by Waterford, with an unbeaten run of nine games which has shot them to the top of the table and more importantly five points clear.

While their midland rivals and long-time league leaders, Longford Town, have struggled, Collins side have registered an impressive seven wins and two draws. Collins has also strengthened his squad with the capture of the talented Graham Kelly and Enda Curran from Salthill Devon in the transfer window.

Both have already contributed to the midlands sides climb to the summit with Kelly and Curran coming off the bench to combine for the winning goal against Finn Harps two weeks. Both played their part in the crucial 1-0 away win over Longford Town last Saturday night as that win opened up a five point gap on their second placed rivals.

A win at Fahy’s Field on Friday night will open up an eight point lead on Longford, for at least 24 hours anyways, but the Galway venue has never been a happy hunting ground for Collins teams in the past (his Monaghan side were beaten twice in 2011). Athlone needed a very controversial late penalty in the 93rd minute as they escaped Fahy’s Field with a 2-2 draw back in April.

Collins also has a full squad to choose from with captain Aidan Collins declared fit for action despite being stretchered off in last weekend’s midland derby win. Neither side have any suspension worries either this weekend.

Referee: Andrew Mullally (Waterford)

MATCH STATS

Athlone won the most recent meeting 3-0 in June, their first win over Mervue in five attempts, prior to that midlands side had won six games on the trot against the Galway side.

The sides have met 16 times, six of these games have finished 1-0 including Mervue Utd’s first League of Ireland game in March 2009 at Terryland Park.

Athlone are the only First Division side Mervue have not recorded a win over this season.

BETTING

Mervue 8/5, Draw 21/10, Athlone 6/4.

PREDICTION

Mervue United 1-1 Athlone Town.

Mervue United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Athlone Town

Injured: None

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None.