Athlone women to face Shels after draw with DLR Waves

Athlone Town are preparing to host defending champions Shelbourne in the SSE Airtricity Women's National League this Saturday night (kick-off 7pm).

It's a clash which will see the fourth placed team (Athlone) come up against second placed Shels. Athlone are actually level on points with third placed Peamount United, who are only ahead on goal difference.

The title race took an interesting twist last weekend as Wexford Youths took over from Shelbourne at the top. Shels lost narrowly to Peamount in their Dublin derby, with Stephanie Roche scoring the winner for Peamount. Meanwhile, league leaders Wexford Youths stormed back against Cork City to claim three vital points.

Last weekend, Athlone Town played out a 1-1 draw away to DLR Waves in what was an evenly fought contest, but the midlanders will probably regard it as two points dropped.

On 24 minutes, Gillian Keenan passed the ball into Emily Corbet in the box, but Athlone's top scorer couldn’t keep her shot down and put the ball narrowly over the bar.

Despite the Waves being under pressure for most of the first half, they got the first goal just before half-time. A cross from Sarah McKevitt was met by Kate Mooney in the box and she finished to put her side ahead.

Just before the break, Mia Dodd had an excellent chance to put DLR Waves 2-0 up, but her shot hit the crossbar.

As Athlone looked for an equaliser, they continued to press and create chances. Finally in the 76th minute, Tommy Hewitt's charges equalised. The ball fell to Madie Gibson in the box and she calmly controlled it to hit the back of the net from close range.

Following Saturday's game against Shelbourne, Athlone's focus will turn to their EVOKE.ie FAI Women's Cup semi-final against holders Wexford Youths. The semi-final will take place in Athlone Town Stadium on Saturday, September 24 (kick-off 4.30pm).

The other semi-final is Shelbourne versus Bohemians earlier the same day, and the FAI Women's Cup final is scheduled to take place at Tallaght Stadium on Sunday, November 6.