Gibson stars as Athlone Town remain on track for glory

Treaty United 0 Athlone Town 3

By David Byrne

Athlone Town kept alive their chances of securing their first ever SSE Airtricity Women’s Premier Division thanks to a hard-fought 3-0 win over a resilient Treaty United side at the Markets Field last Saturday evening.

Athlone’s win means their strong bid race for the title will now go right down to the wire, having overtaken fellow title chasers Galway United and Shelbourne to go top of the league with a game in hand over their nearest rivals, with just four game to play for Ciarán Kilduff’s charges.

Kilduff’s youthful outfit, whose starting XI had an average age of just 22, will now be hoping to bring their fine league form in the Women’s FAI Cup semi-final against bottom of the table Sligo in the Showgrounds Stadium next weekend.

Now surely favourites for the league title, Athlone jumped into top spot in the Women’s Premier League with title rivals Shelbourne and Galway just two points behind and having played a game more than the Westmeath side.

With just four games left to play for Athlone, Kilduff’s side hold the advantage at the top, with a trip to second-place Galway facing the league leaders on the final day of the season

All three teams at the top remain in contention with a thrilling conclusion to the league ahead for Athlone supporters and their title chase could go right down to the final round of matches.

With 15 minutes gone on the clock, Athlone showed early signs of their attacking threat, and the visitors should have been in front after a well-worked corner kick. However, Cameroonian striker Brenda Tabe could only watch on as her headed effort edged over the bar – a sign of things to come – much to the relief of Treaty goalkeeper Anne-Marie Ulliac.

Treaty had a shout for a penalty on the half hour part after a coming together between Athlone defender Jesi Rossman and Katie Lawlee in front of the visitors’ goal. However, referee Marc Lynch quickly dismissed calls from the hosts’ sideline.

Athlone eventually made the well-deserved breakthrough seven minutes before the half-time break, with the ball somehow making its way over the line from a corner. Treaty failed to a deal with Madison Gibson’s superb in-swinging delivery, with Treaty defender Mara McCleary adjudged to have got the final touch on the back of a chaotic scramble inside in the six-yard box.

Gibson should have doubled Athlone’s lead on the verge of the break but her half volley looped over Murphy in the Treaty net.

Just two minutes after restart, Tabe showed her strength to burst through the Treaty defence, availing of a superb Kate Slevin through ball, but the Cameroon striker’s effort on goal was blocked by the solid Treaty defence.

Athlone’s strong defence, which has only conceded nine league goals so far this season, was on hand yet again as a Kellie Brennan block denied Anna Rockett what seemed a certain goal. The Athlone defence breathed a sigh of relief when Shauna Brennan cleared the resulting loose ball.

Athlone got their second 22 minutes from time after player of the match Madison Gibson’s shot on goal was deflected into the far corner of the Treaty net.

Roisin Molloy, also impressive for the Midlanders, hit the crossbar with eight minutes left with a curling effort that looked like it was going to put three between the sides.

Molloy, however, finally got her well-deserved goal a minute from time to put the icing on the cake for Kilduff’s side. The Athlone midfielder ran at the stretched Treaty defence before cutting inside and curling her effort into the back of the net. Job done.

The double is still on for Athlone. Not bad for a team that only joined the league four years ago.

Player of the match: Madison Gibson (Athlone Town). On a night when her side soared to the top of the league table, Gibson had a more than impressive performance in front of the TG4 cameras at Markets Field last Saturday evening.

Not only did the American native find the net in the 68th minute, the lively winger constantly kept the Treaty defence on their toes from the very get-go, creating space and opportunities for her teammates and even setting up Roisin Molloy for Athlone’s third. It was Gibson who also whipped in the corner, causing confusion in the Treaty box, for Athlone’s opening goal.

A worthy player of the match who is sure to be a key player in Athlone’s push for league and cup glory. Cameroonian striker Brenda Ebika Tabe and Roisin Molloy are also worthy of mentions.

Athlone Town: Katie Keane; Kellie Brennan, Shauna Brennan, Jesi Lynne Rossman, Kayleigh Shine; Isabel Ryan, Kate Slevin, Laurie Ryan (captain), Roisin Molloy, Madison Gibson; Brenda Ebika Tabe. Subs: Emily Burke for Ryan (77 mins), Hazel Donegan for Tabe (88), Taylor Anderson for Slevin (90).

Treaty United: Anne-Marie Ulliac; Anna Rocket, Erin Van Dolder (captain), Mara McCleary, Caleigh Boeckx; Cara Griffin, Delana Friesen, Mijke Roelfsema, Katie Lawlee, Jillian O’Toole; Danielle Steer. Subs: Jenna Murphy for Ulliac (23 mins, injured), Ayaka Ikeza for Boeckx (60), Grace Gleeson for Griffin (72).

Referee: Marc Lynch.