Athlone Town U19 3-1 Dundalk FC U19
EA SPORTS National Underage League U19 Group B
Ebuka Kwelele maintained his excellent run of recent form but Dundalk FC U19s still slipped to a disappointing 3-1 defeat away to Athlone Town on Sunday afternoon.
The Midlanders got off to the better start and took the lead just 10 minutes in when a quality free-kick was placed into the top corner and out of reach for Niall Brady in the Dundalk goal.
The Lilywhites took a few minutes to settle but they soon grew into the game and equalised midway through the half an excellent counter-attack was tucked away by Kwelele for his sixth goal in five games.
The sides went in level at the break, but Athlone raised their game in the second half began and began to control proceedings and they took the lead when a misplaced cross found its way over Brady’s head and into the net.
Dundalk struggled to muster a response and Athlone capitalised on a defensive error to make it 3-1 and secure the three points.
It was a disappointing result for the Lilywhites on what was most definitely an off day, but Stephen McDonnell and his staff will be hopeful of bouncing back when they return to league action at home to UCD next Sunday at 1pm.
DUNDALK FC U19: Niall Brady, Jeff Nwodo, Jack Kavanagh, Enda Douglas, Mayowa Animasahun, Ronan Kilkenny, Val Adedokun, Brandon Holt, Ebuka Kwelele, Ryan O’Kane, Mark Hanratty. Subs: Jamie Barry, Ryan Kinahan, Matthew Thomas-Smith, Liam McNamee, Michael Keyes.
