Longford Town slip up in disappointing defeat at home to Finn Harps

A first half penalty from Joel Bradley-Walsh proved to be the difference as Finn Harps recorded a win over Longford Town in the First Division clash at Bishopsgate on Saturday night.

Longford Town . . . 0   Finn Harps . . . 1

The goal came in the ninth minute after Conor Errity’s high boot caught Yacine Idir; the foul appeared to be just outside the box but referee Daryl Carolan pointed to the spot. Bradley-Walsh made no mistake from the decisive penalty. 

Town will feel aggrieved that they weren’t awarded a penalty themselves in the 74th minute when substitute Francis Campbell appeared to have been fouled by Conor Tourish but the referee waved Campbell’s appeals away.

This result sees Harps leapfrog Town and Wexford and move into fifth place in the table while Town drop down to seventh.

After last weekend’s excellent performance against Wexford FC, Town were poor against Harps. The Donegal side were physically stronger than the young home side.

Nathal Lumingo was extremely impressive for the visitors throughout the game and Town struggled to handle him.

After Longford had won their first corner, Harps broke down the field and won one of their own. It was from that corner that the Idir foul happened and the penalty was awarded.

Despite the early goal, the next good chance on goal didn’t arrive until the 24th minute and it was Harps that created the opportunity. Town keeper Kian Moore was forced into making a fine save to deny Lumingo.

Town’s first decent effort on goal came on the half hour mark with Harps netminder Lorenzo Piaia pulling off an excellent save to deny Alex O’Brien. Down the other end in the 38th minute Temi Ajibola blasted the ball over the bar after a Harps corner.

Chances were scarce in the early stages of the second half. In the 62nd minute Piai was called into making another good save; this time denying Pharrell Manuel.

As Town pressed for an equaliser, manager Wayne Groves made a quadruple change.

Campbell was only minutes on the pitch when he was fouled by Tourish in the box but the referee waved away his penalty claims.

Harps brought many players back to defend as Town went in search of the equaliser. 

In the 84th minute substitute Andy Parashiv saw his powerful effort from a rebound saved by Piaia and Longford offered very little after that as Harps held on for the win.

LONGFORD TOWN: Kian Moore; Daniel McKenna, Cole Omorehiomwan, Conor Errity, Taylor McCarthy, Osaure Irhue; Alex O’Brien, Sean Moore, Pharrell Williams; Daragh Murtagh , Dean Williams.

Subs:- Aaron Doran for Murtagh and Andy Paraschiv for Manuel (71 mins); Luke O’Brien for Williams and Francis Campbell for O’Brien (72 mins); Stefen Ugbesia for McKenna (84 mins).

FINN HARPS: Lorenzo Piaia; Conor Tourish, Oran Brogan, Alex-Mathis Fanle, Joel Bradley-Walsh, Yacine Idir; Tony McNamee (Odhrán McHugh (90 mins), Daniel de Lacerda, Adam McDaid (Perrault Tokam 76 mins); Nathan Lumingo (Max Johnston 87 mins); Temiloluwa Ajibola (Shaunie Bradley 76 mins).

Referee: Daryl Carolan.