Athlone 2 Rovers 3

Rovers made to fight all the way

This was an entertaining pre-season friendly played in Athlone's fine new stadium. Baker hit an early free-kick into the side-netting before a good one-two between O'Brien and Martin saw Martin burst into the area but lose control at the vital moment. New club captain Stephen Rice had a great opportunity to open the scoring on 9 minutes but he headed straight at the 'keeper from close range after O'Brien found him with a free-kick.

The home side showed what they could do when their number seven raced past Stapleton and into the area to cross for Levine to head into the corner of the net. However the Hoops should have levelled just two minutes later when Maguire headed across goal from Bakers free-kick and Ferguson met the ball at the far post but hit the woodwork from two yards out.

Rovers kept on pressing but often the final cross into the box was behind the attacking players. Alan Murphy drove a long range free-kick straight at the 'keeper on 21 minutes and Athlone had a good chance five minutes later but their number ten wasted a shooting opportunity. Murphy shot over the bar from Bakers cross on 32 minutes.

After 38 minutes Rice received the ball from a quick free-kick and beat a defender before unleashing a fine low shot that produced a great one-handed save from the home 'keeper. However the Hoops were level from the resultant corner, O'Connor powerfully heading over the line despite a defenders best efforts to keep the ball out.

Ger O'Brien was in the action before the break when a good passing movement saw him run into the area but he elected to cross and the home defence recovered. Two minutes before the whistle O'Brien chased a through ball and was taken down with a high tackle to earn a penalty. However Baker's spot-kick was well saved by the 'keeper. Ferguson had to make a fine intercepting header right at the end of the half.

Two mnutes after the break Byrne flashed a free-kick narrowly wide for Athlone. Dessie Baker was then put clean through but shot weakly and the 'keeper saved easily. On 57 minutes Murphy got in behind the defence and crossed back for McGill but he couldn't get a shot on goal. On 64 minutes Barry Murphy had to race from his box and clear after O'Brien lost the ball in midfield.

The home side took the lead on 71 minutes when Keely headed in at the back post from a corner. The Hoops were level two minutes later when a Murphy free-kick was headed back across goal by Ferguson for Baker to shoot. The ball was deflected to the back post where Doyle was waiting to score.

O'Connor and Rice linked up well on 75 minutes but the 'keeper claimed O'Connors cross. Murphy then sent Doyle away but his final shot was weak under pressure from two defenders. The Hoops won the game in the 86th minute when Creevy's fine ball into the area was chased down by the alert Rice who crossed low for O'Connor to score at the back post. There was time for a last free-kick from Murphy that was deflected towards Rice but the home side scrambled the ball away.

Line-Out

1 Barry Murphy
2 Ger O'Brien
3 Darren Stapleton
4 Daragh Maguire
5 Barry Ferguson
6 Danny O'Connor
7 John Martin
8 Stephen Rice
9 Alan Murphy
10 Dessie Baker
11 Eric McGill


Substitutes:

13 Corey Treacy
14 Pat Flynn
15 Robbie Creevy for Baker 80'
16 Karl Coleman
17 Eoin Doyle for Martin 67'