Athlone continue positive start

ATHLONE Town maintained their bright and 100 per cent start to the season with a thoroughly deserved victory over Kildare County at Lissywoollen last Saturday. The Town had kicked off their campaign with an encouraging 1-0 win over Mervue Utd the previous week and over 600 spectators turned up at Lissywoollen to see what Brendan Place"s charges had to offer during their first competitive home outing of 2009. And the home punters were not disappointed - as Athlone produced a highly satisfactory performance and some attractive football during 90 minutes of largely entertaining fare for followers of the Town. Former Ireland youth star Emeka Onwubiko was Athlone"s hero on the night, equalising Paddy Mahon"s breakthrough goal for Kildare and then making it 2-1 for the Town inside ten minutes of the second half. Noel McGee, who also got Athlone"s winning goal against Mervue, sealed the points with his side"s third and most impressive goal in the 80th minute. Although Athlone supporters will not be getting carried away by their team"s beginning to the season, two wins in the opening couple of fixtures represents Athlone"s best start to a season since 1984. But possibly of greater consequence is the manner in which Athlone have achieved these two victories, by playing the ball on the ground as often as possible and fashioning plenty of goalscoring chances throughout games. The players seem far more comfortable and confident than in more recent years, and possibly more versatile as well, but there"s no doubt tougher tests await in the coming weeks and months. In theory, Athlone have probably faced the league"s two weakest sides in the opening two fixtures, so concrete judgement on Athlone"s aspirations for the season must be reserved until they face some of the First Division"s bigger fish. Kildare, of course, actually finished bottom of last season"s First Division and thought they would be competing in the A Championship until Cobh Ramblers were refused a league playing licence. Damien Rushe was suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards carried over from last season, so young local centre back Kevin Dunne took his place. Thomas McGauley moved from centre back to left back and Brian Cleary, who operated at left back against Mervue, shuffled into midfield, where some of his passing was a joy to behold. Among those to shine on the night for Athlone were Robbie Hamm, Des Hope, Anthony Hayes, Emeka Onwubiko and Stephen Place, the latter of whom played a key role in much of Athlone"s attacking play and also in the manufacturing of two goals. Some eyebrows might have been raised when Brendan Place acquired the services of his younger brother from Glebe North but, so far, Stephen Place has performed very admirably in Athlone colours and leads the front line with great power and determination. Athlone started very brightly against Mervue a week earlier and continued in this manner last Saturday. After only four minutes, Onwubiko for away down Athlone"s right flank and pulled an intelligent ball back towards the edge of the Kildare penalty area but no Athlone anticipated and the chance faded away. The game came alive in the 12th minute when Noel McGee fed Onwubiko 25 yards from goal. Onwubiko swivelled nicely before sending a rasping shot towards goal but his effort clipped the crossbar on its way over. Place then found the effective Onwubiko and his deep cross picked out Kevin Williamson, but his difficult volley was always rising over the crossbar. It was further good play by Athlone though. Place"s persistence then earned Athlone a corner kick but Thomas McGauley headed over after Anthony Hayes" delivery. On the worrying side, Athlone had some difficulty dealing with Kildare"s rare set-pieces and the opening goal came through this channel. McGauley conceded a free kick in the 41st minute and Cathal Brady"s in-swinging cross was headed home by an unmarked Paddy Mahon. Kildare"s breakthrough goal came totally against the run of play. It was interesting to see how Athlone would react and they did so with superb poise and belief in their system of play. The Town continued to play the same way they had done before falling behind and got their reward in the 44th minute when Place set up Onwubiko and he calmly slotted the ball under Colin Cassidy. Three minutes after the restart, Onwubiko"s well struck effort was fumbled onto the roof of the net by Cassidy, before McGee headed over under major pressure after a decent cross by Williamson. On 57 minutes, Stephen Place had an appeal for a penalty after going down under Ken Mahoney"s challenge but the Town had to settle for a corner. Hayes delivered with precision though, and Onwubiko headed into the net from close range. Twelve minutes later, John McGuinness saved well from Paddy Mahon"s fierce drive, while the Town "keeper also did well to keep out Colin Osbourne"s back post header a few moments later. On 73 minutes, Cleary"s raking crossfield ball put Onwubiko in behind the visitors defence. Onwubiko"s low cross was delivered with pace and had just too much power for Place to connect. Athlone did have a few ropy moments when firstly McGuinness made a hash of Des Hope"s backpass and then Robbie Hamm was forced to make a terrific last gasp challenge to deny Alan Lynch a certain goal. The Town deservedly put the game to bed on 80 minutes when Onwubiko and Place combined to set up McGee, who rounded Cassidy before slotting into the net. Athlone currently lead the table on goal difference after two games and travel to Limerick this coming Friday. ATHLONE TOWN: John McGuinness; Robbie Hamm; Thomas McGauley; Kevin Dunne; Des Hope; Brian Cleary; Emeka Onwubiko; Anthony Hayes; Stephen Place; Noel McGee; Kevin Williamson. Subs: Robbie Egan for Hayes (84 mins); Ian Finlay for Hamm (88). KILDARE COUNTY: Colin Cassidy; Eoin Kavanagh; Baba Isaaka; Ken Mahoney; Stephen Burke; Colin Osbourne; Paul Rigney; Rory Brown; Paddy Mahon; Alan Lynch; Cathal Brady. Subs: Leslie Kelly for Kavanagh (60 mins); Daithí Garry for Lynch (72). Referee: Neil Doyle.