By Conall Collier

Sligo Rovers found the going tough against defending champions Athlone Town at the Showgrounds on Saturday evening where referee Arnold Hunter had to be replaced by fourth official Michael Connolly with about 15 minutes remaining.

The referee sustained an injury and had to be assisted from the pitch and that delay, plus a stoppage when Sligo Rovers ‘keeper Bonnie McKiernan received attention, produced 12 minutes of added time.

Athlone were ahead at the break from a Rosin Molloy goal and Kelly Brady doubled the advantage in the second-half, both goals arrived ahead of the water breaks in each half. Maddie Gibson added two late goals for Athlone to seal an eighth victory out of nine outings.

Rovers were well in contention for more than an hour, but were outplayed subsequently and cannot have any complaints about the outcome.

Rovers boss Steve Feeney made two changes from the draw at Tallaght Stadium as Kate Nugent and Muireann Devaney started in place of Keeva Flynn and Kate Nugent

Athlone’s starting 11 featured three changes from the 3-0 victory against Waterford with Ciara O’Neill, Roisin Molloy and Hazel Donegan coming in for Isabel Ryan, Katherine Sullivan and the suspended Natalie McNally.

The Bit O’Red looked strong early on and had a ‘goal’ ruled out in the 11th minute as Athlone laboured to dominate until they broke the deadlock midway through the half.

Sligo woman Molloy finished from a Gibson cross in the 22nd minute and that goal separated the sides at the interval as Athlone Town established a hard-earned 1-0 interval lead.

The hosts pushed and probed for an equaliser and Athlone ‘keeper Maria Matthaiou was tentative on occasions under the high ball while at the other end Bonnie McKiernan was composed and dominated her penalty area. She also saved well from Molloy close to the interval.

Athlone started the second-half on the front foot with both Brady and Gibson going close, but Rovers also created chances as Leah Kelly and Alice Lillie were narrowly off target.

On the hour mark there was a break in play for attention to Bonnie McKiernan after she had denied Brady, but there was nothing the Bit O’Red keeper could do soon after when Athlone made it 2-0. Gibson provided the cross and Brady finished ahead of the second-half water break.

Unusually, when play resumed there was another lengthy stoppage as referee Arnold Hunter sustained an injury and had to be assisted from the pitch with fourth official Michael Connolly deputising.

There was 12 minutes added time and Athlone took complete control for the remainder with Gibson claiming a brace of goals while Bonnie McKiernan made some good saves to curtail the Athlone women.

The next action in the WPD will take place in mid-June away to DLR Waves with the All-Island Cup on the radar for the Bit O’Red against Linfield on Saturday 24th May and Shelbourne on Saturday 7th June.

Sligo Rovers – Bonnie McKiernan; Leah Kelly, Sarah Kiernan, Alanah Doherty, Alice Lillie, Emma Hansberry, Eimear Lafferty, Muireann Devaney, Kate Nugent, Cara King, Anna McDaniel.

Subs – Rebecca McIntyre for King 70 mins, Kya McKenna for Kelly and Morgan Burnap for Doherty both 86m, Lauren Devaney for Lafferty and Natasha Kelly for McDaniel both 96m.

Athlone Town – Maria Matthaiou; Kellie Brennan, Kayleigh Shine, Shauna Brennan, Hannah Waesch, Izzy Groves, Kelly Brady, Rosin Molloy, Maddie Gibson, Hazel Donegan, Ciara O’Neill.

Subs – Isabel Ryan for Donegan and Aoife O’Connor for Molloy both 84 mins, Sarah Flannelly for Brady and Emma Mooney for Groves both 89m, Erica Cunningham for Brennan 91m.

Referee – Arnold Hunter.

Assistant-referees – Darren Corcoran, John Hanney.

Fourth official – Michael Connolly.