City score three to take down Athlone in Lissywoolen

By Donncha Noonan | Photo: Kevin Barry Dorney

After a comfortable win against Longford in their last outing, City returned to the Midlands in search of a similar result, as they took on Athlone Town. It was a simple yet assured performance from City in the end, as they ran out 3-0 winners thanks to another wonderstrike from Conor Drinan and a brace from Hans Mpongo.

There were two forced changes for Barry Robson’s side. Injuries to both Seani Maguire and Josh Fitzpatrick kept the pair out of the squad, with Charlie Lyons and Ruairi Keating coming in to replace them.

There were two changes for Ian Ryan’s side from their narrow loss to Cobh, with Aderinsola Adewale and Brendan Clarke coming in for Thomas Considine and Andrew Trainor.

The first proper chance of the game fell to the visitors after twenty-one minutes. A long crossfield ball from Greg Bolger found Harry Nevin down the right wing. His touch deflected off of an Athlone defender into the path of Ruairi Keating, who forced a good save out of Brendan Clarke with a shot from a tight angle.

Athlone were far from lying down though and should've taken the lead three minutes later. A quick counter moved the ball wide to Patrick Ferry on the right hand side. He cut back and pulled the ball across the box to Gradi Lomboto, but the forward dragged his shot wide of the left hand post.

They were the only two real chances of what was a fairly slow first half, something that's become a trend in City games so far this season.

City started the second half sharper than they did the first, and they took advantage of it by taking the lead in the fiftieth minute in extraordinary fashion. Conor Drinan won the ball in midfield, and played Hans Mpongo who darted forward. He cut inside and laid it back to Drinan, who struck an outstanding first time effort into the top right corner from theory yards to give the visitors a deserved lead.

Drinan almost grabbed his second three minutes later. City broke forward via Hans Mpongo, who flicked it onto Darragh Crowley. The midfielder approached the backline before sliding it left to the oncoming Conor Drinan, who tried to guide it past Brendan Clarke, but he stood tall and denied Drinan a brace.

Despite this, City were able to double their lead in the fifty-eighth minute. Conor Drinan received the ball out on the left wing, and rode a tackle after dinking the ball into the box. Drinan’s cross found the head of Hans Mpongo who buried the ball past Brendan Clarke and into the back of the net.

The visitors added the dagger in the eight first minute to make sure of the three points. Conor Drinan got on the end of a long ball forward, but was bundled over in the box by Evan O’Connor before he could reach it. Hans Mpongo stepped up to take it, and fired the ball past Clarke to score his second of the game.

Athlone were denied a late consolation goal thanks to a brilliant save by potential Irish international Conor Brann. Cillian Toilett led a counter down the left hand side, and got all the way to the box before rolling the ball towards the bottom right corner, but Conor Brann got down to tip the ball around the post and preserve his clean sheet.

And that was that in Athlone as a strong second half performance from City was enough to put the game away. It was a very familiar first half where City seemed to struggle to open up Athlone early on, but they were very comfortable defensively so it wasn't a major issue. Once the second half came around, City were far more fluid and potent going forward, and ended up being clinical to keep Athlone at an arms length.

My Man of the Match goes to Conor Drinan. For the second week running, I feel it was Conor Drinan who made the most difference for City. In the wingback role he is familiar with, Drinan caused serious issues going forward down the left hand side, as well as competently fulfilling his defensive duties. He was also involved in all three goals, scoring one, assisting one and winning the penalty for the third.

It's a quick turnaround for City, as they stay on the road to face Treaty United at the Markets Field on Monday. For Athlone, they'll wait til Friday to travel to UCD.