HOME FARM/EVERTON take their most significant step towards regaining Premier Division status after nine years in the lower flight when entertaining Athlone Town in the promotion/relegation play off at Whitehall tonight.

They boast an experienced team of National League journeymen as part of their short term policy towards, they maintain, a long term aim of bringing their own young players into the senior team. Nevertheless, Athlone (who survived the play off last year when winning the second leg at home to Finn Harps on penalties) will start favourites.

Though Farm finished their First Division campaign unbeaten in four games, they owe their play off place largely to Cobh's collapse.