Longford Town back on track with vital victory over Finn Harps

Finn Harps . . . 0 Longford Town . . 1

The damage done in the previous home defeats against Kerry FC and Treaty United was repaired to a large extent with a vital victory over Finn Harps in Ballybofey on Friday night.

Longford Town FC are back on track in the fierce battle to secure a place in the First Division promotion play-offs with striker Dean Williams scoring the decisive only goal in the 64th minute of the crucial clash at Finn Park.

This massive result leaves Longford in fifth position on the congested table with four fixtures remaining, starting with a crack at the champions Cork City at Bishopsgate on Saturday night next.

The other games are away to Wexford FC and UCD and at home to revitalised Athlone and the three precious points gained in Donegal is a big step in the right direction.

Harps halted a nine-game losing streak last time out with a much-needed 3-1 away victory over Wexford and their confidence was boosted for the visit of Longford.

The first opportunity fell invitingly for Harps skipper Tony McNamee outside the area, just three minutes in, but he dragged his effort low and wide.

Soon after Aaron McLaughlin, causing all sorts of bother on the flank, blazed a trail forward from the right-hand side but there were no blue jerseys charging into the box to meet his well-placed pass.

On the other side, Bernardo Monteiro also got to the line to supply another dangerous pull back.

Much the better side inside the opening ten minutes, the hosts then had the ball in the back of the net when Finn McKenlay nodded home but the play had already been called back for a prior infringement.

With Longford hemmed in their own half, Josh Cullen flashed another header just wide when he did well to rise high and meet a pin-point Monteiro delivery.

25 minutes in, and a brilliant interception from Joel Bradley Walsh presented a golden opportunity for Gavin McAteer inside the area, but he could only blaze high and over the bar.

Piling on the pressure and pressing high, Harps were almost caught on the counter attack when Taylor MacCarthy’s ball over the top sent Williams racing through.

He progressed all the way inside the home area but Harps keeper Corey Sheridan got the slightest of touches to Williams’ low strike to deflect it behind for a corner.

Five minutes out from the break and a clipped 25-yard free-kick from Bradley Walsh had Kian Moore scampering across his line to get an outstretched hand to the ball and stop it from finding the back of the net.

Two minutes later, Harps were almost caught napping and again had Sheridan to thank when he thwarted Andy Paraschiv.

But it would have been rough on a Harps side that certainly deserved to be in front at the break.

Into the second half and Longford had an early shout for a penalty waved away when Williams went down inside the box.

But shortly after the hour mark, with Longford much improved on the changeover, Wayne Groves’ outfit took the lead when Williams’ strike took a wicked deflection off Max Hutchison to loop in and over Sheridan into the net.

20 minutes from time, Harps substitute Bridel Bosakani was a stud’s length away from getting a connection to Monteiro’s perfectly weighted delivery while another replacement, Ronan Ferns, stung the chest of Town keeper Moore.

And in a frantic finish, Bosakani, and late subs Lukas Doherty and Rego Priosti, all came agonisingly close to levelling it as Longford held on by the skin of their teeth to emerge victorious.

Finn Harps: Corey Sheridan; Josh Cullen, Max Hutchison, Joel Bradley-Walsh, Darragh Coyle (Ronan Ferns, 62); Ciaron Harkin, Finn McKenlay (Oran Brogan, 62), Tony McNamee (Rego Priosti, 75) , Gavin McAteer, Bernardo Monteiro (Lukas Doherty, 81); Aaron McLaughlin (Bridel Bosakani, 62).

Longford Town: Kian Moore; Sultan Adenekan, Jake Hough, Pharrell Manuel, Taylor McCarthy; Alex O’Brien, Sean Moore, Andy Paraschiv, Darragh Murtagh, Aaron Doran; Dean Williams (Stefan Ugbesia, 80).

Referee: Mark Patchell.