Longford Town away against Athlone on Friday and Bray Wanderers on Monday

Longford Town are away to Athlone in the midlands derby this Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm). 

Up until recently the Town had the indian sign on Athlone with a record of around twenty games without defeat against the near neighbours. 

Last season it was Athlone who had the bragging rights with three victories and a draw which was a big disappointment for the Longford supporters. 

In the opening fixture, Athlone collected all three points with a 3-1 victory at Bishopsgate.

The second game played in Athlone ended 1-0 in favour of the home side. The third meeting between the clubs was in early August and it ended 3-2 in favour of the visitors at Bishopsgate. 

The final game of the season was in Athlone and that ended in a scoreless draw. Athlone accumulated ten points to the Town's one in the head to head last season and we need to remedy that situation this season. 

Athlone lost top striker Pierrot to Drogheda United this season and the big Haitian striker is sorely missed as they are currently sixth in the table with a record of one win, two draws and two defeats. 

Their only victory was a 3-0 win over Wexford. They have drawn two games against Cobh away that ended 3-3 while the other draw was a 1-1 home draw against Kerry FC.

Athlone have been beaten twice on the road as they lost 3-0 against UCD last weekend and ended up with 10 players as former Town player Dylan Hand saw red in the 37th minute. Two weeks earlier Finn Harps beat them 2-0  at Finn Park.

Make no mistake, this Athlone team will be looking to continue their great recent run against Longford and the fact that they have quite a few former Town players in their squad adds to the rivalry. 

Dean Ebbe, Jamal Ibrahim and Dylan Hand all wear the Athlone gear now but Hand will miss the game due to suspension. 

The Town have now had three games postponed due to the bad weather and the Bishopsgate pitch was passed unfit for the game against Treaty United last weekend. after a pitch inspection.

Bray at the Carlisle grounds on Monday night next

The first of the re-fixtures is against Bray on Monday next at the Carlisle grounds, kick-off 7.45pm. 

Bray have played four games to date and have accumulated four points from one win, one draw and two defeats. 

Last weekend they travelled to Cork and were beaten 2-0 by the table toppers. Relegated UCD beat Bray on the opening day of the season at the Carlisle grounds. 

Bray's only victory in the league this season was against Kerry in Mounthawk where they won 3-2 with former Town player Cristian Magerusan scoring one of their goals. 

Bray had to travel to Limerick side Treaty United in their other away league fixture and on that occasion the game 2-2.

This year's First Division looks like it is more competitive than recent years and any club that can go on a winning run could be chasing a top 2 finish.

With two games over the weekend the Town's squad should be looking for victories against Athlone and Bray. 

The management think that we have a squad capable of pushing for a high finishing spot in the table but there are no easy games and we need to start winning this weekend. 

A large crowd is expected to be over in Athlone on Friday night and we ask all our supporters to give the team lots of support.

Hopefully the team aren't ring rusty due to lack of competitive games but some injured players have been rested and should be back in contention for places.