Finn Harps find the going too tough away to Athlone Town

Finn Harps slumped to their second straight defeat as Athlone Town came from behind to claim all three points in a convincing 3-1 win. 

Athlone Town 3-1 Finn Harps 

A bright opening to the first half faded somewhat but sprung back to life just before the break when Harps broke the deadlock. Both teams had early chances as the respective goalkeepers were tested, Athlone had the first chance after four minutes when Jamar Campion-Hinds fired a shot off Tim Heimer. 

Home keeper Enda Minogue then did well to block a shot from Michael Harris and concede the first corner kick. The Harps forward was later denied once more by Minogue but the action soon quietened down. 

The hosts forced two corners as Aaron Connolly’s cross from the right was also collected by Hiemer. The half looked set to end scoreless but Harps were awarded a penalty just a minute out from the midpoint whistle when Daniel Okutwe was fouled by Noah VanGeenen just inside the box. 

Ryan Rainey stepped forward to take the resulting spot kick and drilled his effort under Minogue’s body. It handed Harps a major boost at a crucial time and the lead at the break.    

That lead would last all of four minutes as Athlone equalised following early pressure after the restart. Oisin Duffy, who had replaced the injured Adam Lennon, was on hand at the far post to fire a left wing cross to the roof of the net. 

The visitors looked set to retake the lead just after the hour mark. Okutuwe burst past the defensive cover but Minogue advanced to narrow the angle and got a touch to put the ball behind. The miss proved costly when the Town hit the front after 66 minutes. 

Harps failed to clear the danger from a corner and Donal Curtin took advantage to score from just inside the penalty area. Isaie Louis and Patrick Hickey had chances to stretch the home lead. Harps pressed hard but could not penetrate the Athlone rear-guard. 

A corner after 81 minutes was one of the few times the visitors threatened. Athlone held firm as Harps heads dropped following the lead goal. The bad night was completed in stoppage time when Campion-Hinds scored from a tight angle off a deflection. Duffy had the last chance for the home team but blasted the ball over the bar.  

Athlone Town: Enda Minogue; German Fuentes Rodriguez, Jack Kavanagh, Noah Van Geenen; Patrick Hickey, Adam Lennon (Oisin Duffy, 25), Aaron Connolly, Haji Abdikadir (Charles Mutawe 69); Jamar Campion-Hinds, Isaie Louis (Valerii Dolia 90), Donal Curtin. 

Finn Harps: Tim Hiemer; Daithi McCallion, Keith Cowan, Ellis Farrar, Ryan Flood; Caoimhin Porter, Katlego Mashingo (Filip DaSilva 75), Ryan Rainey, Seamas Keogh (Cian Lynch 58); Michael Harris, Daniel Okutwe. 

Referee: Alan Carey.