Athlone Town humbled Longford Town to claim the midlands El classico 4-1.
Longford were truly humbled, outplayed and out gunned with a quickfire second-half double giving Athlone victory.
The defeat sees Longford bottom of the league and facing their worst league finish since 1997/98.
The visitors had the opening chance of the game with just six minutes on the clock. A quick Norris corner one-two with Dean O’Shea opened up for a Norris shot; which Duggan saved low to his left.
The hosts gradually got into the game. 10 minutes where on the clock, when Athlone had their first half chance. Matthew Leal’s scuffed shot just spilling wide.
While, Athlone had all the play it would take another 13 minutes for a chance. How Athlone didn’t take the lead was beyond the 1,157 attendance.
Gideon Tetteth linking with Darren Ebbe before curling an effort off the far post. The ball then bounced on the line before coming off the opposite post. Dean O’Shea cleared what looked like an almost certain gifted chance.
Athlone dominated in midfield and the majority of the play. Brian Torre’s 27th minute free from just outside the D drawing a solid save from Jack Brady.
The hosts should have taken the lead on the half-hour. Noah van Geenen’s shooting the wrong side of the post after brilliant work from Jamar Campion-Hinds on the right.
The hosts put their best piece of play together on the stroke of half-time. Aaron Connolly released Campion-Hinds down the right. Campion-Hinds linked with Tetteh who setup a Geenen shot.
Brady produced a top drawer save to keep the ball out of the top corner.
However, Longford’s relief was short lived. Torre’s corner was half connected with by Dylan Hand. The loose ball rifled into the turf and home by Connolly.
Athlone deserved their 1-0 half-time lead.
Longford offered little in the second-half
The hosts continued where they left off after the break. This time Longford had little to no response.
Athlone scored twice in three minutes and it was all too easy for the hosts. Brian Torre’s 65th minute corner going straight into the net.
Two minutes later Campion-Hinds long throw was headed up and over the unchallenged van Geenen to the net.
Longford’s inability to get out of their half was further punished when Ven Geenen grabbed his second 15 minutes from time.
This was all too easy for the hosts as the Ven Geenen was allowed switch feet and find space at the edge of the box before firing home.
Longford pulled one back with 79 minutes on the clock. Jordan Adeyemo with a tidy header from Shane Elworthy’s cross.
Athlone had shouts for a penalty with five minutes remaining. Mohammed Boudiaf pushing Jamal Ibrahim over in the box. The referee waved it away.
It was the only break of the game Longford got. Substitute Boudiaf saw red two minutes into injury time for a second yellow card.
Indeed, the question now is, if Longford can even salvage a finish to the season.
Athlone Town: Duggan, Duffy, Hand, Rodriguez, Leal, Van Geenen (Mujaguzi 81), Torre, Campion-Hinds (Oakley 76), Connolly, Tetteh (Forbes 76), Ebbe (Robinson 68).
Longford Town: Brady, Elworthy, Sedeniuk (Lennox 79), O’Shea (James 57), O’Connor, Norris, Yoro, Fay, Hery (Topcu 79), Chambers (Boudiaf 52), Adeyemo
Referee: Daryl Carolan (Louth)
