Athlone return to league action this evening (Friday 26th) when they play host to Cabinteely FC in the first game of Series 4 of this seasons Airtricity League Division 1.
This game is a real 6 pointer with a win moving them off the foot of the table while a Cabinteely win would see them all but safe in seventh position as Athlone would then need a minimum of two victories over the last 6 games to overtake them and avoid finishing bottom.
Athlone Town will be looking for revenge in this game after suffering a 5-1 defeat when the teams last met which was their joint worst defeat along with defeat to UCD excluding cup games since the change of management and playing staff after the mid-season break.
Cabinteely had a break last weekend as they weren’t in cup action but the week previously lost out by a score of 2-0 against champions elect Limerick FC in The Markets Field.
Last weekend Athlone Town lost out by 5-0 in the 3rd Round of the FAI Cup to Shamrock Rovers and the week previously were again on the wrong side when losing out 2-1 in St Colman’s Park to Cobh Ramblers.
The clubs have only met in the league on 7 occasions since Cabinteely entered the league in 2015 with Athlone winning 2, losing 4 and the other ending in a draw. In those games a total of 24 goals have been scored at an average of 3.42 goals per game.
The Squad
Colin Fortune will have to select without the suspended Joey Maloney who sits out the first game of a two match suspension for his sending off against Cobh ramblers while Tom O’Halloran, Roy King, Ronan Hanaphy and Jason Lyons are all unavailable.
Long term injured Craig Shortt also continues to miss out through ligament damage which seems to be a season ending injury.
Darragh Conacannon and Aaron O’Neill have left the club after signing for local junior clubs Moore United and Willow Park.
Kick off in Athlone Town Stadium is scheduled for 7.45pm.