Athlone Town 3-0 Mervue United

28th June 2013, Athlone Town Stadium

Referee Ray Matthews was once again the talking point after a game between Athlone and Mervue Utd as he sent off defender Martin Conneely after just seven minutes and awarded the home side yet another controversial penalty.

Mervue supporters will remember Matthews well as he was the official who also awarded Roddy Collins side a controversial penalty in the 93rd minute in the reverse fixture back in April at Fahy's Field to deny Mervue all three points in that 2-2 draw.

On Friday night in Athlone Town Stadium it was surprising to see him appointed match referee once again and it didn't take him long to hand the midlanders a big advantage as Conneely saw red after he clashed with Athlone's Garbhan Coughlan.

Matthews didn't hesitate in producing the red card and pointing to the spot to hand the home side a huge early boost. Athlone's top scorer Philly Gorman stepped up and fired the resultant penalty past Conor Gleeson for the opening score and the first of his hat-trick on the night.

That early controversy seem to knock the stuffing out of a Mervue side who struggled after that with ten men. Gorman grabbed his second of the night on 33 minutes, when he lost marker Michael McSweeney to head home James O'Brien's free-kick past Gleeson. Glynn introduced young Ryan Manning before the break in place of Brendan Lavelle as he tried to inject some threat into the away side going forward.

Roddy Collins side never looked like conceding that two advantage after that and added a third goal midway through the half as Gorman claimed his hat-trick when squeezing Barry Clancy's cross past Gleeson in the 65th minute.

Johnny Glynn's side did have two excellent chances to claim what would have been a consolation goal in the final quarter. Jason Molloy picked out Gary Shanahan in the Athlone box but he flashed his effort wide of the post when he should really have found the net on 75 minutes.

Ten minutes later Manning released sub Kenny Farrell through one on one with Athlone keeper Paul Skinner but the custodian came out on top blocking the defenders effort.

Mervue's excellent start to the season has now hit a mid-season slump as Glynn's side have really lost their form, losing six of their last seven games in all competitions, with a 1-0 home win over Cobh Ramblers the only positive in that run.

Next weekend's city derby against an inform Salthill Devon, who drew 1-1 with leaders Longford, could prove to be a defining game of the season next Saturday afternoon at Fahy's Field (kick-off 5 p.m.)

Athlone Town: Paul Skinner; Roddy Collins Jnr., Barry Clancy, Aidan Collins (Niall Lanigan 75), Neil Harney; James O'Brien, Mark Hughes, Garvan Broughall (David Brookes 87), Robbie Clarke; Philip Gorman, Garbhan Coughlan (Niall Scullion 87).

Subs not used: Ian Sweeney, Craig Sexton.

Bookings: Aidan Collins 69, Garbhan Coughlan 84.

Mervue Utd: Conor Gleeson, Tom King, Gary Kelly, Martin Conneely, Michael McSweeney; Barry O'Mahony (Mark Ludden 46), Gary Curran, Paul Sinnott, Gary Shanahan (Kenny Farrell 77); Brendan Lavelle (Ryan Manning 40), Jason Molloy.

Subs not used: Noel Varley, Alex Lee, Ross Kenny, Conor O'Malley.

Bookings: Tom King 30

Red Cards: Martin Conneely 7

Referee: Ray Matthews (Midlands)