Longford Town’s SSE Airtricity League First Division campaign got off to a nightmare start with a 1-3 defeat at the hands of neighbouring rivals Athlone Town at Bishopsgate.
In front of an attendance of 1,514, Longford spurned numerous chances and were left to rue such inaccuracy when punished by a more clinical Athlone side.
Longford’s first meaningful chance arrived 24 minutes in, courtesy of a free-kick awarded when Aaron Connolly fouled Shane Elworthy.
Viktor Serdeniuk shot from Aodh Dervin’s quick pass; parried by Enda Minogue who controlled the ball at the second attempt.
Two minutes later Athlone took the lead. Frantz Pierrot collected Aaron Connolly’s pass inside the box and outmuscled Oisin Hand before firing home.
Longford created another opportunity on 34 minutes. Darragh Lynch connected with Joshua Giurgi’s right-wing cross but couldn’t direct his header on target.
Four minutes later, Giurgi was involved again for Longford. The former Shelbourne player’s corner-kick was headed over the crossbar by Ross Fay.
Longford eventually equalised four minutes before half-time. Darragh Lynch registered his first goal for the club.
German Fuentes Rodriguez failed to clear Elworthy’s cross, the ball fell to Lynch who fired his low shot into the corner of the net.
Longford almost took the lead four minutes after the restart. Donal Curtin fouled Fay, from the free kick Verdon’s superb effort forced a fingertip save from Minogue.
Athlone went ahead on 61 minutes. Jamar Campion-Hinds connected with Curtin’s floated cross at the back post, his looping header found the net.
The visitors doubled their advantage three minutes later. Pierrot scoring with a first-time volleyed effort six-yards-out after he was beautifully set up by Jack Kavanagh.
Pierrot was subsequently dismissed having received a second yellow card for an over-exuberant celebration. His first booking came on 47 minutes.
Penalty
With 14 minutes remaining Longford had a life-line when Jamal Ibrahim was fouled inside the box by Fuentes Rodriguez. Referee Eoghan O’Shea award Town a penalty.
Captain Sam Verdon’s effort lacked conviction and was easily saved by Minogue.
Verdon spurned another chance one minute into injury time. Having collected a long ball from Aodh Dervin but couldn’t direct his header on target.
The visitors almost scored a breakaway goal right at the death. Campion-Hinds collected a loose ball and embarked on a solo run but saw his close range effort saved by Jack Brady’s leg.
It didn’t prove detrimental for the visitors however who departed Bishopsgate with three valuable points.
Longford Town: J Brady, S Elworthy, C Hodanu, O Hand, K O’Connor; A Dervin, V Serdeniuk (M Boudiaf 70); J Giurgi, S Verdon (C), R Fay (G O’Brien 70); D Lynch (J Ibrahim 70).
Athlone Town: E Minogue; D Curtin, G Fuentes Rodriguez, N van Geenen, J Kavanagh; C Mutawe (H Abdikadir 46); A Lennon (V Dolia 63), O Duffy, A Connolly, J Camption-Hinds; F Pierrot.
Referee: Eoghan O’Shea
