Promotion chasing Longford Town in another crucial clash at home to Athlone

The midlands derby generates a huge interest and up until last season Longford Town had most of the bragging rights as they had gone almost twenty games unbeaten against their neighbouring  rivals.

In recent times the trend has changed dramatically. Even this season the teams have met twice and after those two games Athlone have a 100% win rate. 

The opening game of the season took place back in mid February and without doubt Athlone gave the Town a bit of a footballing lesson in winning 3-1.

Athlone's big striker Pierrot scored two goals in the 26th and 64th minutes with Darragh Lynch on target with a 41st minute equaliser for the Town.

 JS Campion-Hinds scored for Athlone in the 61st minute before Pierrot's second goal in the 64th minute. While Pierrot was red carded in the 64th minute, the Town were unable to make any impact against a very well organised Athlone team. 

In early June the Town travelled to Athlone and they lost 1-0 with the only goal of the game coming from Pierrot who is having a great season for the club. The goal came in the 16th minute and this was a real end to end game. This game was about a lack of goals but a glut of red cards.

Aodh Dervin received a red card in the 64th minute and Athlone's Velikin was sent-off one minute into added time but the drama didn't end there as Kyle O'Connor also saw red in the fifth additional minute. 

 The recent form of Athlone has been top class and the fact that they are sitting comfortably in fourth place tells its own story. 

Over the Bank Holiday weekend they played Bray away and drew 2-2 with their leading scorer Pierrot scoring the opening goal in the 12th minute while their second goal came from N Lamtoukou.

 The main talking point of the game was the fact that Bray ended with nine men after having two players sent- off.

 On Monday last Athlone beat Finn Harps 4-1 at home with their goals coming from defender Noah Van Geenan (4 mins) an OG from Wara (23 mins) and two goals from Valerii Dolia in the 29th and 38th minutes giving them a commanding advantage.

Defender Michael Peprah was sent off in the 79th minute and he will miss the big game on Saturday. Athlone have new owners with American connections and that has meant that there is a huge influx of talented young players in their panel. 

One of the best young talents in the Athlone set up, Adam Lennon, recently left the club and joined Treaty United and scored on his debut against the Town last weekend. 

There is no doubt that Athlone will be a tough nut to crack but this new look Town team are beginning to blossom and with quite a few new faces coming in, the fight for a place in the starting team has become tougher. 

Aaron Walsh, who missed the Bray game through suspension, and Bastien Hery will be available for the clash against Athlone and should further strengthen Stephen Henderson's hand as the teams go into the final ten games of the season. 

Six points at the weekend is a tremendous boost for the Town manager but as we all know you are only as good as your last game and the latest midlands derby on Saturday night is a vital fixture in the push for a place in the promotion play-offs. 

SSE Airtricity League First Division

Longford Town v Athlone Town

at Bishopsgate on Saturday 12 August 

Kick off 7.30pm 

Calling all supporters

Recent results have pushed us into contention for a promotion play-off spot with 10 games left. The club needs you all to come out to Bishopsgate for what could be a big turning point in our season.

 Make a valiant effort to be there and bring your flags, scarves and drums and let the team hear that Town roar.