Things are looking up for Longford Town with the win over Treaty United

Longford Town . . . 2   Treaty United . . . 0 

Boosted by the hard earned win over Treaty United at Bishopsgate on Saturday night last, things are looking up for Longford Town who are proving to be no pushover in the generally competitive First Division with the notable exception of the unbeaten table toppers Dundalk.

Treaty were fancied to pick up all three points on the trip to the midlands but were met with fierce resistance from the men in red and black, inspired by the impressive Eric Yoro in the midfield sector.

The deadlock was eventually broken in the 71st minute from a penalty converted by Aaron Doran which was awarded for a foul on Oisin Hand after he latched on to a pass from fellow central defender Aaron Walsh.

The lively Doran made no mistake from the spot kick and while Longford were under considerable pressure for the remainder of this tedious tussle, the frustrated Limerick club were unable to find a way past the home keeper Harry Halwax who produced a couple of crucial saves on the changeover

Although rooted to the spot when a header from substitute David Tarmey drifted narrowly wide in the early stages of the second half, Harry made a fine point-blank reflex save from another replacement Benjamin Lee and also stopped a goalbound effort at the foot of the post.

In building on the draw against Athlone and then the victory over Kerry FC, home advantage is working out in favour of Wayne Groves steadily improving side and the supporters went home in a happy frame of mind.

The Longford victory was wrapped up when Etoile Emmanuel Milongo was clean through down the right wing before creating the opportunity for local lad Emmanuel James to smash the ball into the back of the net in the sixth minute of stoppage time.

While the Town started well with the always industrious Aaron Doran driving his shot into the sidenetting in the 6th minute, the first half developed into a dull affair thereafter with the best chance falling to Josh Giurgi who darted his way through down the right flank.

Guirgi was on target from a very tight angle, only to be denied by the opposing keeper Corey Chambers who got a vital touch to keep his net intact in the 24th minute.

The Longford keeper Halwax failed to deal with a Treaty cross with Eoin Martin blasting the ball over the bar to blow a glorious opportunity of the lead goal in the 27th minute.

The same must be said of Daragh Murtagh who looked all set to score just before the break but hesitated when in the clear and that gave opposing defender Robbie Lynch the time to clear the danger in a last ditch tackle.

The game badly needed a goal and it eventually materialised courtesy of the well-taken Aaron Doran penalty but Treaty almost snatched the equaliser when a close range shot from substitute David Tarmey drifted narrowly wide in the 82nd minute following a bit of mayhem in the Town defence.

But the Longford defence stood firm for the rest of the game and Treaty were caught out on a quick counter-attack for the cracking Emmanuel James goal approaching the full-time whistle.

The Town are back on the road for a tough task against Finn Harps on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm) and are away again the following Tuesday (April 8) for the rearranged fixture against Wexford FC at Ferrycarrig Park.

LONGFORD TOWN: Harry Halwax; Osaze Irhue, Aaron Walsh, Oisin Hand, Dean O’Shea; Eric Yoro, Emre Topcu; Josh Giurgi, Aaron Doran, Mohammed Bodiaf; Daragh Murtagh.

Subs:- Dean George for Bodiaf (58 mins); Etoile Emmanuel Milongo for Irhue (70 mins); Francis  Campbell for Giurgi; Pharrell Manuel for Doran and Emmanuel James for Murtagh (all in the 81st minute. 

TREATY UNITED: Corey Chambers; Evan O’Connor, Robbie Lynch, Eoin Murtagh, Fionn Doherty;  Karl O’Sullivan, Colin Conroy, Ben Lynch, Trpimir Vrljicak, Mark Byrne; Lee Devitt. 

Subs:- Benjamin Lee for Byrne; Joseph Hanson for Doherty and David Tarmey for Vrljicak (all at half-time); Steven Healy for Conroy (76 mins); Vojtech Ptacek  for O’Connor (84 mins).  

Referee: Jason Moore.