Cork City grind out victory over Athlone Town at Turner's Cross

Cork City 1 Athlone Town 0 

CORK City made it four wins from four games at Turners Cross this season, as they remain top of the First Division after their victory against Athlone on Good Friday. 

It wasn’t a game that will live long in the memory of the 3,084 in attendance, as there was very little goalmouth action in the match. City dominated possession throughout but rarely troubled their opponents. However, they did deserve the three points despite not being anywhere near their best.

City made one change from the side that faced Treaty United with Cathal O’Sullivan returning to the starting 11 following his absence from last week's match due to his involvement with the U17 international team.

City dominated possession in the early stages with Athlone passive in their press without the ball. The visitors were happy to leave City have possession in their own half, a tactic that the Rebel Army found hard to play through.

Enda Minogue did well to bailout his teammate Funentes Rodriguez, when the keeper was quick off his line to just get to the ball ahead of Nathan Wood after Funentes had misread the pace of John O’Donovan’s curling pass.

The City forwards frustration grew as the half aged as they were seeing very little of the ball. The game was mainly a passing session between City’s back-four, Greg Bolger and Evan McLaughlin with many passes going sideways or backwards.

The City players weren’t taking enough chances, by playing risky passes, and as a result, Athlone found it very easy to keep the Rebel Army at bay.

The home side did create some moments of concern for the visitors when Josh Fitzpatrick found himself in promising positions but was well shepherded by the Athlone defence.

It was Athlone that had the best chance of the half when Aaron Connolly did well to carve an opening for himself inside the City penalty area but his tame effort was blocked by Charlie Lyons, who did well to prevent the shot from reaching the goal.

The half-time whistle probably came as a relief to most inside the ground as it meant an end to one of the most uneventful 45 minutes played at Turners Cross for some time. Although Athlone were well organised, City were too pedestrian in their play. There was a lack of urgency from the players in possession, and the movement from players without the ball to give options wasn’t good enough.

One of the big problems for City was that players were constantly receiving the ball with their back to goal rather than getting it on the half turn. The little joy City did have was when they were a bit more direct by putting the ball in behind the Athlone fullbacks.

It was Athlone that started the better of the sides in the second half with Daniel McKenna flashing an effort over the crossbar. The visitors also had a claim for a penalty waved away when it could have easily been given.

A heavy touch from Cian Murphy let the striker down, as he attempted to take Jack Doherty’s pass in his stride but instead allowed Minogue to comfortably gather the ball. Murphy should have done better with his touch and it was an opportunity missed because he would’ve been through on goal with a better touch.

Charlie Lyons almost opened the scoring for City when his header was cleared off the line. However from the resulting corner, Lyons’ excellent movement got him away from his marker and he made no mistake heading in from close range, with City comfortably seeing out the remainder of the game.

CITY: Wade, Nevin, Coleman, Lyons, O’Donovan; Bolger, McLaughlin (Coffey 62), Doherty (Umeh 80); Fitzpatrick (Brookwell 80), Wood (Murphy 46), O’Sullivan (Bargary 62).

ATHLONE: Minogue, Jones (Torre 81), Hand, McKenna, Rodriguez; Duffy, Connolly, Ibrahim (Tetteh 58), Leal, Mujaguzi (Gavin 81); Ebbe.

Referee: D Dunne.