Gibson's set-piece magic gives Athlone second Champions League win of the week
A second comprehensive win in the space of four days saw Athlone Town advance to the second qualifying round of the Women's Champions League.
Just like in the earlier tie against Cardiff City, the home team had all the hard work done in the opening half. Maddie Gibson scored two goals direct from corner kicks while setting up Hannah Waesch for the other score against ZNK Agram from Croatia. Athlone concentrated on keeping the visitors at bay in the second half with Kelly Brady coming closest to increasing the lead.
Athlone were dominant in the early stages and opened the scoring after 17 minutes in unusual circumstances. The second home corner kick saw Gibson find the net at the far post with the in-swinging delivery.
The lead was doubled midway through the half. Gibson was the provider this time as her pull back from the end line picked out Waesch who shot home between the Croatian goalkeeper and her post. Shauna Brennan looked set to further increase the lead after 38 minutes but stood on the ball when preparing to shoot with the goal at her mercy.
Goal number three eventually arrived in the second additional minute at the end of the half. Again Gibson sent in the ball from a corner to the far post with Agram once more helpless to prevent the perfect delivery from crossing the line.
The visitors came more into contention when play resumed as Athlone concentrated on defending in this half. Maja Joscak was prominent as Agram looked to pull a goal back but Athlone held firm. Their best chance of replicating the Cardiff score came late on when top scorer Brady took aim but her shot was pushed away by Nika Radolovic. Substitute Hazel Donegan had another Athlone chance in stoppage time but again the Agram keeper made the save.
Athlone Town: Plaschko, Shine, S Brennan, K Brennan, McNally, Groves (Slevin 70), Brady, Molloy (Fitzgerald 78), Gibson (Donegan 70), Waesch, Rice.
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