UCD 2-1 Athlone Town
IT WOULD HAVE been premature to adjudge this game as a relegation six-pointer at this early stage of the season but UCD’s narrow 2-1 victory over Athlone Town may yet have contrasting impressions on both sides’ campaign.
The Students showed defensive tenacity, something that had been lacking in their first two games, to withstand a late rally from the visitors after Philly Gorman responded to goals in either half from Robbie Creevy and Ayman Ben Mohamed.
UCD goalkeeper Conor O’Donnell pulled off a succession of crucial stops in the closing stages as Aaron Callaghan picked up his first points as college manager, leaving Town rooted to the foot of the table with no points from their opening three games.
Mick Cooke and his side were left to rue a number of missed opportunities and an abject performance but it could have been a lot different after they thought they had been awarded a third minute penalty. Alan Byrne, who was deployed just in front of the back four, slid a perfectly weighted ball down the side of the UCD defence and when Gorman was pulled to the ground by Michael Barker, referee Sean Grant pointed to the spot.
His decision was soon reversed after consulting with his linesman, who adjudged the striker to be in an offside position. It sparked the hosts into life and they hit the front on 34 minutes. Chris Mulhall’s free-kick was flicked on by Creevy and his glancing header evaded Paul Skinner at the back post.
The visitors looked to hit back instantly but Conor McMahon couldn’t keep his effort on target. Five minutes after the interval, UCD doubled their advantage thanks to an individual goal of the highest quality.
When Ben Mohamad picked the ball up on the left flank, it didn’t seem there was any danger but the fledgling winger glided past two defenders before cutting inside and firing past Skinner, who should have done better.
Athlone looked devoid of ideas but Byrne’s deflected cross created the opening for Gorman shortly after the hour. The striker muscled his way between two blue shirts and diverted his header back across goal, leaving O’Donnell helpless.
However, the UCD goalkeeper was to prove the matchwinner in the remaining minutes as he produced save after save to deny the newly promoted side. Gorman’s shot from a narrow angle was brilliantly palmed over before O’Donnell clawed McMahon’s goal-bound header around the post from the resulting corner.
UCD just about held on but there was no denying them three points this week as they find themselves up and running. If the Students manage to keep their heads above water come September, this may just be an important juncture.
UCD: O’Donnell, Ryan, Barker, Boyle, Langtry, Benson (c), Creevy, Mulhall, Ben Mohamed, Clarke (Douglas, 89), Morrison (Kavanagh, 75)
Substitutes: Matthews, O’Halloran, Burke, Wilson, McGinley.
ATHLONE TOWN: Skinner, Dillon, McMahon (D Brennan, 89), Prendergast, Clancy, A Byrne (c), S Byrne, S Brennan, Rusk (Sweeney, 75), Marks (O’Brien, 59), Gorman
Substitutes: Sexton, Hughes, Collins.
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