Elwood sending off turns the tide against Mervue in Fahy’s Field

Date Published: {J}

MERVUE UNITED 0

ATHLONE TOWN 1

JASON BYRNE

MERVUE United are still searching for their first points of the season as they once again succumbed to defeat against their bogey side Athlone Town on Friday night.

After dominating the first-half, the hosts lost skipper and centre-half Mike Elwood due to a straight red card three minutes before the interval, an incident which completely changed the complexion of the game. Athlone, to their credit, took full advantage in the form of Joe Woods’ sublime second-half strike to carry the day.

In the first half, however, it was hard to see a winner other than Mervue as the visitors barely troubled Ronan Forde and Etanda Nkolo looked a constant threat on Mervue’s left flank.

After eight minutes, Peter Dravins’ first of many goal opportunities came when he got on the end of Alex Lee’s cross but headed wide. Just six minutes later, Dravins this time picked up Kenny Farrell’s fine long ball but his low shot was well saved by Pat Jennings.

Three minutes later, it was Dravins again who had the goal gaping in front of him when Nkolo played him in, but Athlone defender Brian McCarthy flung himself at the ball to block. Dravins, to his credit, was finding the space, but that slice of luck was eluding him.

Another lengthy spell of patient passing saw Johnny Glynn’s men forced another corner, and when Jason Molloy whipped in the ball, Stephen Walsh just failed to make the connection and Athlone averted the danger.

Ten minutes before the break, Molloy was again the architect of Mervue’s attack and as Lee lay waiting in the box, he left the ball for Dravins. Surely this was his goal – but the ball got caught between his feet and Jennings collected as Athlone got off the hook again.

Then, the turning point arrived in the form of Elwood’s early bath as he tangled with Garvan Broughall and raised an elbow to shrug off the Athlone striker’s presence who tumbled to the ground. The lettering of the law meant he had to walk.

Subsequently, a completely different second-half unfolded as Dravins played alone up front, James Casserly moved to central defence and stand-in skipper Alex Lee switched to right-back with Molloy dropping back into midfield.

Athlone moved up a few gears and on the hour mark, Woods had a fine effort deflected wide following Val Feeney’s corner. From the second corner, Kevin Williamson this time swung it in and Brian McCarthy shot narrowly wide.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.