0 v 1 
Shamrock RoversVideo
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 May 2023 | 7:00 pm | LOI Women's Premier Division | 2023 |
Match Report
Rovers keep pressure on with win in Athlone
Lia O’Leary’s left-footed bullet on the half hour was enough for Shamrock Rovers to edge out a probing Athlone Town 0-1 and soar into second place in the WPD.
Athlone were in the early attacking ascendency thanks to a ferocious high press which created a half-chance inside three minutes for Muireann Devaney whose shot was blocked.
With Maddison Gibson frequently taking responsibility in possession, she created an opportunity for Roisin Molloy with a wicked cross that was flicked narrowly wide.
Rovers’, starting the day in third, then clicked in scintillating style. Aoife Kelly, proving she has style and substance, linked with Aine O’Gorman and from the resulting corner, home keeper Nyla Peterkin was forced off her line, but a heavy touch saw Abbie Larkin skew her shot high.
The visitors, having foreshadowed their counterattacking ability, then struck a devastating blow on the half hour mark.
Aine O’Gorman galloped forward in space, she spied Lia O’Leary to her left and the striker’s cross-shot flew into the top right corner, a fine hit to break the deadlock!
Approaching the break, the hosts continued to press but lacked final third penetration, as evidenced by a nifty one-two between Molloy and Dana Scheriff which was met by Shauna Fox, well positioned ahead of any available Athlone attackers.
Scheriff headed tamely at Budden as Rovers’ made it to the interval unscathed. How Athlone could have used a player with O’Gorman’s finesse and clinical execution.
Nyla Peterkin was called upon to preserve the one-goal margin as she first authoritatively punched clear Jessica Gargan’s tantalising cross.
Even more impressive, moments later was a spreadeagled, instinctive save to deny O’Gorman in a one-on-one after a defensive mix-up.
O’Gorman was growing in influence though and it was from her cross, that Jaime Thompson almost stretched enough to add a second. However, in her endeavours, the striker injured herself with Alannah McEvoy replacing her for the final thirty minutes.
Although Athlone enjoyed the better share of the ball, Rovers exerted more control in the second half, Larkin denied a goal by the offside flag.
Encapsulating the hosts’ achilles heel of the all-important finishing touch, was a teasing Gibson cross that went untouched.
Kelly, again sturdy as houses alongside Shauna Fox at the back, volleyed just high whilst O’Gorman denied a three-on-two for keep-ball late on.
Promising youngster Millie Daly was chucked on in extra time, but Rovers controlled the final minutes to advance up the table and increase Athlone’s alarming home form.
Up ahead, Athlone go to Bohemians for a midtable clash whilst Rovers’ welcome DLR Waves to Tallaght, both games next Saturday.
Timeline
Past Meetings
|
(Series 17)
3 - 1LOI Men's First Division
Tallaght Stadium Shamrock Rovers v Athlone Town |
|
(Series 8)
0 - 4LOI Men's First Division
Athlone Town Stadium Athlone Town v Shamrock Rovers |
1 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
Athlone Town Stadium Athlone Town AFC v Shamrock Rovers FC |
1LOI Men's Premier Division
Tallaght Stadium Shamrock Rovers FC v Athlone Town AFC |
1 - 4LOI Men's Premier Division
Athlone Town Stadium Athlone Town AFC v Shamrock Rovers FC |
Ground
| Athlone Town Stadium |
|---|
| Athlone Town Stadium, Old Rail Trail, Garrycastle, Athlone East Rural Electoral Division, The Municipal District of Athlone — Moate, County Westmeath, Leinster, N37 N1F2, Ireland |
FULL TIME: Rovers take the three points and move up to second! Athlone left to rue their end product
Gargan booked for a mistimed challenge late on
Late throw of the dice by the home team as Millie Daly and Eve Conheady enter for the four minutes of extra time which we are now into
Close from Kelly! Cracking effort from the Rovers defender on the volley, just too high!
Encapsulating this is another weavy run from Gibson whose delayed cross harmlessly goes out despite it being far from overhit!
Entering the final moments, Athlone applying pressure but as has been their Achilles heel all night, haven't troubled Budden this half
Fox, who has been a rock at the back, departs with Abby Tuthill on in her place
Larkin tucks it in under Peterkin but O'Gorman (again the provider) was offside
Slevin's strike is sizzling but it sails high!
O'Leary pierces the home backline apart with one precise pass but McEvoy has mistimed her run as the flag is raised
Fantastic defending by Kelly who demonstrates why she is the divisions'' leading tackler, perfectly timing her challenge on Gibson after Scarlett Herron led a rapid counter for Athlone
Changes for both sides- Gillian Keenan and Kate Slevin in for Athlone whilst Thompson- in stretching to tap in an O'Gorman cross, has injured herself and is replaced by Alannah McEvoy in Rovers' first change
Huge save by Peterkin to deny O'Gorman who was one-on-one!
Singleton drives purposefully down the right but again Fox is well positioned to hack it away for Rovers- Athlone need their players to get in the box because the chances are being created for them!
Gargan's whipped cross is a beuaty but Peterkin is off her line sharply, punching it clear!
Second Half: Away we go again!
Singleton overhits her pass in a good position which aptly sums up a frustrating half for Athlone! Half Time: Rovers a goal ahead
This time, Scheriff gets to the cross but her header lacks the power to seriously trouble Budden
So often, Athlone's wide players, Chloe Singleton on this occasion, are doing the damage to Rovers but are regularly being outbodied in the box by a sturdy but not overworked Rovers central defence!
Great play between Molloy and Dana Scheriff as their nifty one-two catches Rovers flapping, the visitors fortunate that Shauna Fox was alert to clear
GOAL- Rovers lead and it's a majestic left-footed belter from Lia O'Leary after O'Gorman picked her out in plenty of space!
Abbie Larkin links well with Jaime Thompson as Rovers rove forward but Peterkin is alert and hoofs it out
The lively Gibson shoots from the edge of the box but it's easily smothered by Budden
Rovers threatening now, intricate play between Aoife Kelly and Aine O'Gorman whips them up field before Nyla Peterkin is forced from her goal-line but Jess Gargan's extra touch kills the opportunity
Best chance so far goes to Athlone as Roisin Molloy's header drifts wide from Maddison Gibson's wicked cross in
Incident-packed start here as Muireann Devaney presses a slapdash Rovers defence but Amanda Budden stands firm in goal. Rovers' look content to try and hit on the counterattack as Kellie Brennan finishes well but has the flag raised for offside
KICK OFF
Good evening and welcome to tonight's WPD Coverage- Stay here for updates from the Athlone Town Ground as Athlone welcome Shamrock Rovers, kick off is imminent at 7pm!