Mervue United welcome table toppers Athlone Town to Fahys Field on Friday night in a big game for both sides. Mervue will be looking for a win to keep their slight promotion chances alive
as they sit four points outside the play offs whilst Roddy Collins men will be looking for a win here to keep their lead at the top at 5 points or maybe even extend
it if Waterford and Longford both fail to win.
Last time out Mervue played out a bore 0-0 draw with southerners Wexford Youths in Fahy's field whilst Athlone extended their lead at the top to 5 points with a hard fought 1-0 victory over
near neighbours and fellow title challengers Longford in front of a bumper crowd at City Calling Stadium.
Roddy Collins has a full squad to choose from for the trip west. James O'Brien is available for selection for the town again after he was suspended for the derby against Longford and
captain Aidan Collins who was strechered off against Longford is expected to overcome his injury and take his place in the heart of the Athlone defence.
Meanwhile Mervue United will also have no inury or suspension worries for the visit of Athlone on Friday night. Jason Molloy and Ryan Manning both return from their suspensions and
Gary Curran and Gary Kelly are both expected to play some role in the game on Friday as they return from injury.
Previous Meetings - The last three meetings this season between the two sides have produced two draws and a win for the midlanders Athlone.
An un exciting 0-0 draw in Lissywollen was played out between the two sides on the first game of the season.
Whilst in gameweek eight at Fahy's Field a debatable Philly Gorman penalty in injury time for Athlone ensured that Athlone rescued
a draw.
In the third meeting of the season at Lissywollen Athlone ran out easy 3-0 winners after Mervue had a man sent off early in the game.
Prediction -
It looks like it could be a tight encounter once more this season between the two sides but Athlone are on red hot form at the moment and have only conceded 1 goal in their last eight
games but Mervue have only lost once in Fahy's field this season and that was in late May.
We should be in for a great encounter here but I expect Athlone to just edge it out and move a step closer to the 1st division title.
My Prediction - Mervue United 0-1 Athlone Town
Top League goalscorers:
Mervue United: Ryan Manning (8), Gary Shanahan (5), Jason Molloy, Eric Molloy (4)
Athlone Town: Philly Gorman (12), Ian Sweeney (5), Garbhan Coughlan, Ryan Coombes (3)
Match Officials -
Referee - A Mullaly
Assistant- E O'Shea
Assistant - A Dunne
Fourth Official - J McLoughlin
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