Finn Harps . . . . 1
Athlone Town . . . 4
By Diarmaid Doherty
Ruthless Athlone Town claimed an impressive win to complete a disappointing Bank Holiday weekend for Finn Harps.
Having been held at home by Longford Town on Friday night, Harps were well beaten by an Athlone side who move into third spot thanks to this win.
Franz Pierrot, who hit a hat-trick in their 3-0 win over Wexford on Friday night, scored another two to leave Athlone in control at the break.
His first on 12 minutes came after the home side had enjoyed the better of the opening period. The striker raced onto a through ball and tucked his shot past Tim-Oliver Heimer.
MAIN PIC: Noe Baba of Finn Harps in action against Athlone Town Photo: North West Newspix
He scored his second from a penalty awarded after an unfortunate handball by Seamus Keogh.
Once Haji Abdikadir volleyed in a third on 69, there was to be no way back for Harps whose manager Dave Rogers missed the game due to illness.
The goal of the night was scored by Valerii Dola on 73, a spectacular effort from distance.
Harps grabbed a late consolation goal close to the end through Filip Da Silva.
Worryingly, Harps lost both Ryan Rainey and Ellis Farrar to injury in the second half.
Finn Harps: Tim-Oliver Hiemer, Daithi McCallion, Shane McMonagle, Ellis Farrar (Sean O’Donnell 67), Noe Baba, Michael Harris, Ryan Flood (Kevin Jordan 84), Ryan Rainey (Daniel Okwunde 59), Filip Da Silva, Katlego Mashigo (Damien Duffy 84), Seamus Keogh.
Athlone Town: Vladi Velikin, Haji Abdikadir (Matthew Baker 75), Jack Kavanagh, German Fuentes Rodriguez, Noah Van Geenen, Patrick Hickey, Jamar Campion-Hinds (Adam Lennon 62), Aaron Connolly, Franz Pierrot (Matthew McCarrick 81), Matthew Leal (Charles Mutawe 75), Valerii Dolia (Blake Ryan 75).
Referee: Marc Lynch
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