Athlone Town 1

Galway United 3

Keith Kelly in Athlone

GALWAY United’s perfect start to the season continued on Friday night, but John Caulfield’s side had to dig deep to come from a goal down, and then survive a period of sustained pressure in the second half, to make it seven wins from seven and extend their lead at the top of the table to seven points.

It was the first time United had trailed in a game this season, and it was against a dangerous opponent who looked threatening in attack and outplayed their visitors for parts of the game, but there was no sense of panic as United just stuck to the gameplan and deservedly got back into the game.

It also showed the resolve that is in this United side to claw their way back into a game that, in previous seasons, might have been beyond them after seeing a first-half penalty saved, and then conceding the opening goal barely 16 seconds later at the other end of the pitch.

That 34th minute strike by Frantz Pierrot was a massive momentum shifter in favour of Athlone, but crucially, United were level just over four minutes later, and they sealed a club record-equalling run of seven consecutive wins with two second-half goals.

There was a minute’s silence held before the game as a mark of respect to the late Joe Horgan, the father of United assistant manager, Ollie, who had died during the week.

United shaded the early stages, but Athlone were no bystanders by any means, and had the first sight of goal when Noah Van Geenan picked out Valeria Dolia, but his shot was deflected out for a corner.

Most of the play was, however, in the Athlone half, but apart from Ronan Manning, United didn’t have much by way of creativity, and were struggling to break down a disciplined Town defence, with goalkeeper Enda Minogue only troubled by a wayward backpass in the first 20 minutes or so.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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