Longford Town take on Treaty United in key game at the Markets Field

Longford Town are on the road again on Friday when they travel to Limerick to play 5th place Treaty United at the Markets Field, kick-off 7.45pm.

As we enter the last few games of the season (3 to be exact) there is a great confidence in the team after two great results over the last couple of weeks. 

After beating champions First Division champions elect Dundalk (they also have 3 games to play), Longford produced an equally impressive performance against promotion chasing Bray at the Carlisle grounds on Friday night.last. 

The midlanders hope to extend the current good run with another win and get to within three points of Treaty.

Last week’s victory in the Carlisle grounds against a side that had 100% wins in the previous three games between the clubs this season was a tremendous result and performance. 

The Town team which started in Bray had some players who were only playing recently after joining the club during the summer transfer window.  

The two Moore’s Kian and Sean and Kyle Robinson were signed then and there is no doubt that those players have strengthened Wayne Groves’ hand when picking his team and making changes. 

The new additions have made a difference but the return of Jamie Egan after a long absence due to injury has given the team stability at the back. 

The loss of team captain Dean O’Shea also through injury is a big blow to manager Groves as he is chasing a possible play-off spot but he had another long term  absentee Aaron Walsh back on the bench on Friday last. 

This team look to be very confident on the pitch and are starting to score on a regular basis. Dean George is starting to find the net recently and his goal against Bray was a superb effort against a very good keeper. 

He also scored an excellent goal against Dundalk the previous week but it’s his overall play that brings his teammates into the games that shows how valuable a player he is. 

Dean scored the opening goal against Bray while substitute Stefen Ugbesia scored an amazing second goal when he ran from the halfway line to give the Town the valuable second goal. 

Both teams hit the posts on a few occasions during the game and recent signing Kian Moore made a few very good saves when Bray were trying to get into the game. Going down to Limerick on Friday will be a big test for this team as manager Tommy Barrett has put a good squad together down there and they will battle for the duration of the game.

Treaty are in the top half of the table for most of the season and they have decent players who are capable of causing upsets against the top teams. 

There is no doubt that manager Barrett has a real workmanlike team at his disposal and his players will fight to the bitter end for their manager. 

The Town played Treaty three times this season and have the upper hand to date, winning twice and losing once in the meetings.

The first meeting between the clubs was at the end of March in Bishopsgate and the Town won that game 2-0.

Aaron Doran gave the Town the lead from the penalty spot on 72 mins and Emmanuel James made the game safe with the second goal which was scored in additional time to give Longford a deserved win. 

The Town were away to Treaty at the end of May and the home side gave the Town a footballing lesson in front of their own fans in a 5-1 victory. 

LD Molloy was the scoring hero for Treaty helping himself to a hat-trick in a half hour period from the 33rd to the 63rd minutes. 

T Vrljicak scored in the 55th minute and former UCD player Yoyo Mahdy finished the scoring for them in the 87th minute. The Town got a consolation goal in the 70th minute from Eric Yoro. 

The last game between the clubs was played at Bishopsgate in early August and the Town won the game 2-0. 

Aaron Doran scored the opening goal from the penalty spot on 23 minutes and Daragh Murtagh scored no 2 in the 49th minute. 

The Town will be hoping to extend their good run on Friday and keep the pressure on Treaty who are currently in the last promotion play-off spot in the table. After Friday’s game the Town will be at home on Friday week (not the usual Saturday) as there are international matches on that weekend. 

Last weekend there was a great support at the Carlisle Grounds and they pushed the team forward and there is no doubt that the team appreciated that support. 

Longford’s other remaining fixtures are against Cobh at Bishopsgate on Friday October 11th and then away to Athlone Town for the last midlands derby for the season. 

This Friday’s game against Treaty is very crucial for the Town and we hope to keep up the pressure on the teams ahead of us.

Bus to Limerick

Longford Town will be running a bus to Limerick for this Friday’s away game against Treaty United. Supporters wishing to travel to Limerick and haven’t booked can contact Bryan Mullooly. The away support has been great for the season and there is no doubt that they are a big boost to the team and the players really appreciate the vocal support both at home and away.