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Athlone Town Triumph Against Drogheda For First Time Since 2000

Saturday, 3 October 2020 12:40

Their performance was capped by a wonder goal from loanee Taner Dogan.

Two goals in the closing twenty minutes were enough to give Athlone Town their first win against Drogheda United in twenty years and make it three wins in their last four SSE Airtricity League Division One games. 

The win keeps Adrian Carberry's side in 8th place in the table ahead of Shamrock Rovers II and Wexford and closes the game to the gaggle of teams above them, starting with Cobh Ramblers who are eight points better off. 

Following a tight opening forty-five minutes against the league leaders where both sides failed to create clear cut chances aside from one good Aaron Myles save and a couple of snap-shots, the game opened up in the second half at United Park. 

Both sides traded chances early. 

Drogheda heading over from close range before Athlone's own Jack Reynolds went close from a volley after a well worked corner. 

Athlone made their good performance count when great work from midfielder Mark Birrane down the left hand side resulted in a inviting ball slipped back to the onrushing Taner Dogan. 

The Dundalk loanee went for a slick turn in the box only to be upended by a Drogheda defender, leaving the referee no choice but to point to the spot. 

Up stepped Ronan Manning to stroke home his 7th of the season and stun Drogs. Athlone didn't sit back on their laurels however and the victory was completed with a wonder goal from Dogan in the 83rd minute. 

Breaking upfield following a free-kick from the Co.Louth side it seemed like Manning had lost the impetus and possession around the half-way line before a poor touch from Jack Tuite and a lucky break left the ball in Dogan's path. 

Spotting Drogheda net minder David Odumosu off his line, the American went for an audacious lob from just inside the home teams half. 

Needless to say it ended up in the net, past the backpedaling Odumosu and will go down as a contender for goal of the season and one of the best for Athlone in recent memory. 

Next up for Athlone is a home game with UCD next Friday night in Lissywoolen. 

 

Athlone Town: Aaron Myles; Tumelo Tlou, John Morgan, Scott Delaney, Ciaran Grogan, Dean George (Shane Nealon), Taner Dogan (Isreal Kimazo), Mark Birrane, Adam Lennon (Bradley Okaidja), Ronan Manning, Jack Reynolds (Evan White).

Other Subs: Jordan Carroll, Paddy Martyn, Evan O'Connor.

Drogheda United: David Odumosu; James Brown, Conor Kane, Jack Tuite, Hugh Douglas, Chris Lyons, Mark Doyle, Jake Hyland, James Clarke (Brandon Bermingham); Luke Heeney (Richie O'Farrell), Mark Hughes.

Other Subs: Ross Treacy, Killian Phillips, Ryan O'Shea, Stephen Meaney, Adam Wixted.

 

 

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