VIEW FROM THE STAND

By JASON BYRNE

When you are at the bottom of the pile, things just don't seem to go your way and that's certainly been the case for all involved with Mervue Utd so far this season. It's astonishing to think that with five games played, a point has yet to be gained. Two weeks ago here at Fahy's Field myself including many others were hoping that the hoodoo Athlone Town seem to have over Mervue would finally be banished.

It certainly looked promising in the opening forty minutes or so, as Johnny Glynn clearly sent his players out to knock in an early goal. How it didn't arrive I will never know. Peter Dravins was unlucky not to find the net and could have had a hat-trick by half time. Etanda Nkololo looked characteristically threatening on the wing with his blinding pace and exquisite touch. Alex Lee was holding the fort in the middle and Kenny Farrell along with Stephen Walsh and Mike Elwood looked more than comfortable at the back.

Ronan Forde didn't have a save to make until Elwood got a straight red three minutes before the break. You couldn't argue with it, but as Elwood went off Mervue's dominance that they battled for disappeared with him. Once again, we were left scratching our heads as to how Athlone went back up the M6 with all three points. Full credit to the midlanders, but I am not the only one who has already said they are once again punching above their weight.

As Mervue came into last week's trip to Wexford Youths, Glynn was surely eying getting off the mark. United beat Mick Wallace's hopefuls three times last term including one of their finest League of Ireland performances on the road in the form of a 5-2 win. Nonetheless, it wasn't to be and Youths were 2-0 up at the break. That's how it stayed and to hamper Johnny's defensive options even further Stephen Walsh saw red.

Now, another southeast outfit provide the challenge in the form of Waterford United. Mervue have a mixed record against the Munster men who have been knocking on the door of promotion for quite some time now.Every test in the division is now a huge one as only seven other teams form your opponents. It's therefore crucial that Mervue get a point tonight or the pressure will be huge coming into the first derby of the season, as if there isn't enough already.

Tony Mannion's SD Galway look organised and were well deserving of their point last week against high-flying Longford. But we'll let the build-up to that start after tonight. It's early days, no need to start the doom and gloom yet. Yes, some performances have not been good enough but no luck has fell Mervue's way whatsoever.

Unlucky not to get a draw on the first night against Longford Town, who played poorly. Scored three away to Finn Harps with ten men and still got nothing. Limerick awarded the softest penalty ever given and they escaped Fahy's Field with a 2-1 win. The games against Athlone and Wexford speak for themselves. It's time to get off the mark and let's hope it's tonight.

Jason Byrne