Athlone Town 2 Finn Harps 2

Friday, 17 April 2009 10:52

Harps had never won in three previous visits to the Athlone Town Stadium and that didn’t change this evening. Goals from Emeka Onwubiko and Noel McGee in either half looked to have given the home side all three points, however, Harps fought back for a share of the spoils with goals from Sean Houston and an injury time spot kick from Conor Gethins on a glorious evening for a game of football.

The point obtained was no more than Harps deserved as for much of this game they were in control. Visiting boss Paul Hegarty made three changes from the side that had lost 3-1 to Waterford seven days earlier. Ciaran Coll, David McDaid and Houston started in place of Cornelius Gallagher, Ruairi Harkin and Gary Whoriskey.

Despite losing half of their previous four home matches this season, Athlone went into the game in confident fashion. Brendan Place’s side had just completed two victories over their closest rivals Longford Town in the space of three days – away in the league last weekend and at home in the EA Sports Cup on Tuesday. Defender Robbie Hamm was making his 100th appearance for Athlone.

Harps started the better and made all the running in the first half. Michael Funston had the first chance to test the home keeper Aaron Shanahan but after Conor Gethins got away from his marker and played the ball to Funston, the Harps midfielder wasn’t able to capitalise on Gethins good work.

After 27 minutes, Marc Mukendi launched a long free kick towards the Athlone goal. Houston rose highest to flick it on, the ball fell to David McDaid but his shot was well saved by Shanahan.

On the half-hour, Harps were on the attack again. After good work by Christy Conaghan, his inch perfect cross was sent just wide by Funston.

Harps were really taking the game to the midlanders at this stage, and twelve minutes before the break they again had a chance to break the deadlock but the hardworking McDaid’s shot was easily saved by the home keeper.

The home side’s first real chance of the half didn’t come until the 35th minute. McGee linked well with Onwubiko, he went past Ciaran Coll but his shot was put behind for a corner by the diving Ciaran Gallagher in the Harps goal.

Then, totally against the run of play came the opener. Again it was McGee and Onwubiko who linked well. McGee released Onwubiko who got in behind Coll. The Town man still had a lot to do, but he took the ball in his stride and his shot from the corner of the box flew into the top left hand corner of Gallagher’s net for this third league goal of the season, his fifth in all competitions.

Buoyed by their late first half strike, the home side came out with all guns blazing at the start of the second period. Just two minutes into they half they had a penalty appeal waved away by referee Sean Grant. Stephen Place played in the lively McGee who tumbled in the box but the man in black waved play-on.

Three minutes later the midlanders had a perfect chance to double their advantage. McGee again released Onwubiko who crossed for Robbie Benson. However, Benson headed wide when it look easier to score.

Approaching the hour mark, the home side’s early second half pressure finally paid dividend and they doubled their lead. Onwubiko reversed the role of the first goal and turned provider for McGee, he beat the offside trap and slotted home to make it two nil. On the evidence of this game, it’s easy to see why Onwubiko and McGee have scored nine goals between them this season.

Gethins had Harps first chance of the second half when he picked up the ball twenty-five yards from goal on 63 minutes. He looked up and with nothing really on unleashed a shot that Shanahan done well to tip over the bar for a corner. From the resultant corner, substitute Ruairi Harkin, who had just come on, had a shot from the edge of the box well saved.

Harps reduced the deficit sixteen minutes from time. Funston got to the byline and crossed for Houston to head home from six yards. It was Houston’s third goal in a week, having scored two against Castlebar on Tuesday evening in the League Cup.

Funston had a decent chance four minutes from time, but after doing the hard work of getting into a good shoting position he shot high and wide.

Just as it looked like Harps would be registering their fourth loss on the trot in the league, they got the equaliser three minutes into stoppage time. Funston caused all the bother and made good work down the left. As he turned in the box he was taken down. Gethins slotted home the resultant spot-kick for his fourth goal of the season, although Shanahan done well to got a hand to it.

There was just enough time for Athlone to restart before the referee blew for full-time.

Athlone Town: Aaron Shanahan, Robbie Hamm, Brian Cleary, Thomas McCauley, Des Hope, Ciaran O’Reilly, Emeka Onwubiko, Anthony Hayes, Stephen Place, Noel McGee, Robbie Benson. Subs: Kevin Williamson (for Hayes h/t), Cathal Joyce (for McGee 85 mins), Padraig Moran, Kevin Dunne, John McGuinness.

Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher, Ian Rossiter, Ciaran Coll, Johnny Havlin, Marc Mukendi, Shaun McGowan, Christy Conaghan, Sean Houston, Michael Funston, Conor Gethins, David McDaid. Subs: Ruairi Harkin (for McGowan 64 mins),Oisin McMenamin (for McDaid 68 mins), Mark Forker (for Conaghan 68 mins), Patrick Bonner, Gary Whoriskey.

Referee: S. Grant