MERVUE AWAY

away to mervue tonight, after a decent start and a 100% record against them last season would be hopeful of a win tonight, though mervue are a much improved side recruiting a number of galway utd players for this season, can noelly keep up his impressive start to the season having 3 goals in 3 games so far,

COME ON THE TOWN!!!!

Mervue United -v- Athlone Town
by Terry Flaherty
Thu, Mar 22 2012



MERVUE UNITED
Mervue United will look to claim their first points of the season when they host Athlone Town in the Airtricity First Division at Fahy’s Field on Friday night. Following three narrow defeats in their opening three games, manager Johnny Glynn will be hoping his side’s luck can change to finally kick start the new campaign.


The home team will be without defenders Martin Conneely (groin) and Damien O’Rourke (achilles), while Noel Varley (concussion), Michael McSweeney (hamstring) and Alan Murphy will also miss out. On a positive front James Casserly returns from suspension and Gary Kelly will be available again having missed last week’s game due to a family bereavement and Marc Ludden will feature for the first time this season.




Glynn on Friday’s game “There was a lot of positive aspects to last week’s performance against Limerick and I felt we should have taken at least a point form the game as we were in control for long periods of the second half. Athlone have made a good start and will represent a big challenge for us on Friday night. Mike Kerley has almost the same squad as last year with a few key additions.”




ATHLONE TOWN
Mike Kerley’s Athlone Town side have already collected two wins from their opening three games with all three points secured against SD Galway and Finn Harps, while narrowly losing out to neighbours Longford Town in the midlands derby in their other competitive outing. On the back of last week’s excellent performance, a 2-0 win over Finn Harps, the midlands side find themselves in second position in the table with striker Noel McGee firing in three goals in as many games.




Kerley on this week’s away game "You always get a tough game against Mervue. As always we will be looking to work hard and play well and hopefully come away with a win. Failing that, you have to make sure not to get beaten and to take something from away games,"




Athlone will have travel west without Stephen Relihan, Damien Rushe and Robbie Kelleher who are all on the long term injury list, while Tommy Barrett and Mark Walshe are both doubtful.




Referee: Ray Matthews



MATCH STATS
Athlone won all three meetings between the two sides last season which gives them a hundred per cent record against the Galway side during Mike Kerley’s reign.


Noel McGee scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win for Athlone Town in what was Mervue Utd’s first League of Ireland game back in Terryland Park in March 2009. He also scored both goals in a 2-1 win at Fahy’s Field last July.




Athlone have recorded four 1-0 wins over Mervue and six victories in total in the sides nine league meetings to date. Mervue have won only two, while the other ended in a 2-2 draw.




BETTING
Odds: Mervue Utd 6/5, Draw 11/5, Athlone Town 2/1.




PREDICTION
Mervue to finally get off the mark with a home win, 2-1.


Mervue United Injured: Martin Conneely (groin), Damien O’Rourke (achilles), Alan Murphy (ankle), Michael McSweeney (hamstring).



Mervue United Doubtful: None

Mervue United Suspended: None.




Athlone Town Injured: Stephen Relihan, Damien Rushe and Robbie Kelleher

Athlone Town Doubtful: Tommy Barrett and Mark Walshe

Athlone Town Suspended: None

Athlone to win 2-1 with Sherlock getting a brace.

updates on @extratime.ie all mervue so far 0-0 after 33min

We are top of the league! We're gonna win de league!

Sending off totally changed the game, but at least we took full advantage of it. And a great goal from Joe Woods to boot!

http://www.extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/7675/kerley-need-to-be-better-to-remain-top/

Many there I wonder? Even worse attendance that last time some are saying.

There was 120 max.
Bout 50 from Athlone

that terry flaherty from extratime.ie has attendance down as 274, but i've heard others on forums say his attendance numbers are constantly over exaggerated!!

ash reckoned was 150 ish....

yeh he always adds 100 or 200 onto the proper crowd. Decent amount from the town there

Admin wrote:

yeh he always adds 100 or 200 onto the proper crowd.

Not unheard of in Ireland, but when 100 or 200 is your actual crowd...

yeh haha i doubt fahys field has ever seen 300-400 people unless a big away support come