Tabe providing firepower at right time for Athlone
As the SSE Airtricity Women's Premier Division title race swings towards the final straight, Athlone Town are in a fantastic position.
The Midlanders told a three-point lead at the top of the table and even though there are still postponed games to be played they are moving in the right direction - possibly towards a first ever League title.
Head Coach Ciaran Kilduff won't be getting carried away. He knows just how strong, and experienced, Shelbourne are, while Galway United could get a boost from lifting the Avenir Sports All-Island Cup.
Also, Kilduff is likely to be without playmaker Chloe Singleton for the remainder of the campaign following an unfortunate injury sustained in the League win away to Shelbourne. So there are many reasons why his team should remain grounded.
Yet, there are also plenty of reasons for them to be fired up. Chief amongst them is the impact that forward Brenda Tabe has had with back-to-back goals against Sligo Rovers and Shelbourne.
Athlone were probably one forward short following the departure of last season's Golden Boot winner Dana Scheriff, so the arrival of Cameroon native Tabe could hardly be better as the pressure starts to crank up on those hoping to push for that League title.
Tabe is a nightmare for opposition defenders. She has the acceleration to break the lines, the movement off the ball to drag players out of position, the upper body strength to hold the ball up and the accuracy with her finishing to make the most of any opening afforded to her.
In her first appearance, she unloaded six shots on goal, scored once, completed 88% of her passes and was not afraid to attack with her dribbling. The Sligo Rovers players didn't know how to deal with her.
Kilduff is still easing the new signing into the team's set-up but if she can maintain her early form then she could prove to be a difference-maker for Athlone, at exactly the right time.
It would be remiss to overlook the contributions of Singleton, Madison Gibson, Casey Howe, Kerryanne Brown and Roisin Molloy in their attacking play - helping to score 24 goals after 14 games - but Tabe beings something different with her combination of pace and power.
The victory at Tolka Park over Shelbourne was significant. It was a big statement. However, Kilduff will note that the fixture list still includes some tricky fixtures including a final day trip to Galway.
Athlone can only focus on each game as it comes but having won the President's Cup and the Sports Direct Women's FAI Cup in the past few months they are, naturally, aiming for the next big prize and Tabe could help them to secure it.
