League Preview: Athlone Town -v- Cabinteely

ATHLONE TOWN

Searching for their first win since March, Athlone Town host Cabinteely at Lissywoolen on Friday evening (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

Athlone Town fell to defeat last time out against Drogheda United with a 4-2 defeat at United Park.

Terry Butler’s side fell three behind just before the break as bot Evan Pierce and Kaleem Simon provided a glimmer of hope bringing the deficit to only the one before James Clarke made sure of all three points for the Boynesiders late on.

Athlone Town currently lie in ninth position in the First Division, just two points behind Galway United in 8th.

After their early season form which saw them reach the Playoff positions, Athlone have fallen 17 points behind the Playoff spots.

Worryingly, the Blue and Black of the Midlands have conceded thirteen in their previous four games while also only scoring four. 

Athlone have not released any team news for the clash against Cabinteely on Friday evening.

CABINTEELY

Looking for their first win in four, Cabinteely make the trip to Co. Westmeath on Friday evening to face Athlone Town.



Cabo came out on top the last time the two side’s met in a 3-2 classic at Stradbrook with Rob Manley’s 85th minute winner proving decisive.

Only behind Limerick on goal difference, Cabo are well in the mix for a Playoff spot at least as their string of positive results have tapered off slightly in recent weeks.

Speaking with his club’s media team ahead of the trip to Athlone, Pat Devlin admits that he is looking to add to his squad during the transfer window.

“We need to get the three points. We need to get up the table. We’re good enough to do that. The (transfer) window opens up in July.

“We’re looking at all different opportunities that are out there for us. We’ll see what we can do.”

However, Devlin warned of the perils that Terry Butler’s side pose on Friday evening in Lissywoolen.



“We have a little break coming up, so three points is essential at this stage. Athlone will not be easy opposition.

“We found that out last April. We beat then 3-2 but we were very fortunate to win the game. We are expecting a very difficult game.”

Cabinteely have confirmed that they will have a number of absentees on Friday evening.

Referee: Michael Connolly.

 

MATCH STATS

Cabinteely have never fallen to defeat against Athlone Town with Pat Devlin as manager of the club.

Athlone Town have lost their last five games against Cabinteely on the spin. Their last win over the Green and Whites came all the way back in 2016 in a 4-0 win for the Midlander’s.

There has been a combined total of 33 goals scored in the previous eight games between the pair of First Division rivals – with Cabinteely winning five out of the seven in question.

BETTING

Athlone Town 10/3; Draw 11/4; Cabinteely 4/6.

PREDICTION

Athlone Town 0 - 2 Cabinteely

 

Athlone Town

Injured: Unavailable.

Doubtful: Unavailable.

Suspended: None.

 

Cabinteely

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Unavailable: Unknown. 

Suspended: None.