A goal just after the half hour mark from former Galway WFC player Chloe Singleton helped Athlone claim a hard fought three points to make it six wins in a row in all competitions.

With two pitch inspections needed to ensure this contest got underway, underfoot conditions were tricky out west this evening as the surface was cutting up at Eamonn Deacy Park, we were still treated to an exciting contest.

One that Galway will be frustrated they failed to take something, they had chances but failed to beat net minder Katherine Hess, making just her second start for the Midlanders. Singleton was the difference back to haunt the venue she once graced in Maroon, but Athlone did have a host more chances and could have ensured the result had Jess Berlin not also been impressive in goal. Jess Karabin almost scored an outrageous headline making goal near the end but it was just not to be for the American.

Athlone now sit a point behind Galway and should they make it seven wins on the trot this weekend, would snatch fourth place in the table with Galway facing the Champions Peamount. A Cup Final is on the Horizon, fourth place in the league is not something they will pass up.

In the early exchanges it was cagey with both looking to create a spark with possession changing hands on numerous occasions. Galway did have chances, Jenna Slattery attempted to cause chaos with a free kick on half way but Athlone defended well.

Aislinn Meaney played an amped cross for Slattery just after the 11 minute mark but the inform attacker was unable to connect as the ball failed to sit right. Lynsey McKey would later show quick feet to try to work a chance but Athlone cleared for a corner. The resulting corner which McKey swung in from the right wing rebounded off the Athlone crossbar.

23 minutes in was the first time the Midlanders really threatened in front of goal, Kate Slevin roaming on the left wing, found Chloe Singleton and her quick feet took her into the area but her effort was straight at Jess Berlin

Athlone broke the deadlock after 32 minutes, from a Roisin Molloy throw in, Kellie Brennan darted down the right wing unmarked, playing an over the top ball to Dana Scheriff the American kept possession under pressure, playing the ball back to Brennan with a deflection off her knee. Brennan kept her head down to race towards the area, Chloe Singleton spotted a gap and raced into open ground, Brennan cut the ball back for Singleton to have time to place her shot past Berlin.

Galway pressed on but would soon lose McKey. Despite losing one of their main attacking options, Galway still looked dangerous on the offensive front. Following some dangerous corners in succession, Meaney struck a shot from outside the area following an Athlone clearance that Katherine Hess needed to push out for another corner. Athlone remained a goal to the good come the interval.

Ten minutes into the second half Athlone looked to double their lead, Roisin Molloy broke away with possession following a turnover from a Galway corner, with a fantastic piece of defending by Amy Madden forcing a free kick to stop the danger.

Galway could have snatched the equaliser on the 69 minute mark, Meaney with the footwork to create space outside the Midlanders box, chipping a lofted pass to the back post Rola Olusola connected to steer a shot toward goal Hess was down to save. A shot that lacked power but almost found a way to the net.

Inside the final twenty minutes action at both ends almost delivered two goals. Gillian Keenan struck an effort from the edge of the area and Berlin needed to react well to tip the venomous strike over the bar. At the other end Singleton tried to see the ball out of play from an attempted over the top ball by Galway, Meaney kept pressure on, sliding in from behind and almost directed the ball to the net, Hess down quick kept the visitors ahead.

Muireann Devaney almost ensured the points inside the final ten minutes, Keenan crossing from the right wing, Galway did enough to clear, only to the edge of the area with Devaney hitting a volley toward the right hand bottom corner, Berlin was down quick to save.

Substitute Lauren Karabin almost scored a goal of the season contender in the dying minutes of normal time, the midfielder taking aim from over 30 yards out and the strike cannoned off the crossbar with Berlin beaten.

An important result for Athlone, they could yet finish fourth, the aim elsewhere is to keep this unbeaten streak going and build up the confidence levels approaching a cup final later this month. They face Wexford in Lissywollen on Saturday evening at 7pm, while Galway remain on the Dyke Road as they host Champions Peamount also on Saturday at 5pm.