Longford Town won their second El Clasico De Midlands of the season tonight, beating Athlone Town 2-1.

Athlone took the lead through Shane Barnes but Karl Chambers and Sam Verdon turned it around for the visitors before the half. The second half would produce next to nothing.

The hosts

somewhat surprisingly took the lead in the 20^th minute. Thomas Oluwa was played through and Luke Dennison came out to squander the chance.

He succeeded, but Shane Barnes picked up the second ball and took it onto his left foot to slot in. Replays showed that Dennison may have handled outside the area initially, nonetheless Athlone had the lead.

The lead would only last so long. In the 31^st minute, Karl Chambers received the ball on the right wing and crossed in, sending his ball right over the head of Mark Smith. Unclear whether it took a deflection or not but Longford were happy to be level.

The game was turned on its head four minutes later. Sam Verdon was played through in acres of space and sauntered through on goal, rounding Smith and slotting in. In a matter of four minutes, Athlone’s hopes were dashed.

The second half produced very little in terms of chances. Athlone were forced into taking pot shots which Longford were more than content with. Gary Armstrong was the town player that these chances came from, but none of them ever threatened Dennison in the Longford net.

There was a derby element to this game. There were five yellow cards given throughout the game, three for Athlone, two for Longford. Two of these cards for Athlone would see them lose a man.

In the 86^th minute, Daniel Dobbin received his marching orders. He put in a late challenge to cap off the derby loss for Athlone. That’s two weeks in a row an Athlone player has seen red, adding to a lengthy injury list.

The Shannonsiders could’ve snatched a draw in the 88^th minute. Oluwa received a ball in the box and under little duress, attempted to catch Dennison at the near post. His left footed curler smacked the post, letting Longford off the hook.

That would see Longford home and hosed. They maintain their position in the promotion hunt whilst ensuring their neighbours remain winless. All in all, a good Friday the 13^th for the red and black.