Unlucky Longford Town fall to a late Bray Wanderers winner

Despite dominating large spells of the First Division game at Bishopsgate on Saturday night, Longford Town were left empty-handed as Bray Wanderers snatched all three points courtesy of a late winner from 17-year-old Billy O’Neill who scored both goals for the visitors.

Longford Town . . . 1   Bray Wanderers . . . 2 

Longford’s recent run of good form, highlighted by a league win over Kerry and a FAI Cup victory against Castlebar Celtic, came to an end as Bray completed a triple success against the midlanders this season. The defeat halted Longford’s push to climb up to the play-off places while Bray firmly cemented their status as title contenders by moving into second spot in the table. 

Town manager Wayne Groves will be disappointed not to have secured all three points, especially with a difficult run of fixtures. His squad now face a tough test away to Cobh next Friday as they look to bounce back.

Bray broke the deadlock in the 14th minute. Cian Curtis picked up the ball at the edge of the box and drilled it low into the path of young Billy O’Neill who held off Eric Yoro before finishing calmly past Town keeper Harry Halwax into the bottom right corner to get his fifth goal of the season.

Bray nearly made it two four minutes later. A corner from Max Murphy flew through the box to Longford’s Emre Topcu, who bizarrely tried to clear it with no one around him—and came inches from putting the ball into his own net.

In the 30th minute Longford got their breakthrough. After Stefan Ugbesia closed down Max Murphy quickly, Emre Topcu threaded a clever pass through to Daniel Norris who slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the net to level matters for his first league goal of the season.

Bray nearly hit back immediately. From a quick counter attack, debutant Sean Brennan was played in behind the Town defence but Halwax produced a superb low stop - another key moment in his strong recent form.

Longford began the second half with intent. In the 47th minute another trademark Dean O’Shea long throw landed in the heart of the Bray box. It was recycled to Aaron Doran at the edge of the area but his tame shot bounced harmlessly into the hands of keeper James Corcoran.

Two minutes later, Doran turned provider again, slipping Ugbesia in down the right. The winger cut inside dangerously but fired straight at Corcoran—another let-off for the visitors.

In the 55th  minute O’Shea was involved again, this time delivering a low cross that was nearly turned in by Doran, only for a heroic Bray block to deny him a certain goal.

In the 68th minute, Doran was at it again, dancing through midfield before feeding Norris on the left. The forward drilled a low shot across goal that was brilliantly tipped wide by Corcoran with Murtagh inches away from burying the rebound into the net. 

Local man Emmanuel James Oluwafemi then tested Corcoran with a low drive shortly after being brought on and Kyle Robinson came agonisingly close to turning in the rebound on his debut.

Topcu had a chance late in the game, picking up the ball just outside the area. With Oluwafemi in space to his right, he opted to shoot but he was denied by Bray keeper Corcoran. 

Disaster struck for Longford in the 87th minute. After a loose touch from Topcu, Billy O’Neill picked it up in space and wasn’t closed down. From outside the box, he struck low into the bottom left corner for his second goal - a sucker punch against the run of play.

Longford had one last chance in the closing minutes as O’Shea’s long throw fell to Oisin Hand but his off-balance toe poke flew wide.

Despite controlling the second half and creating the better chances, Longford were left stunned at the final whistle - beaten by a Bray side who made the most of their few moments in control. 

LONGFORD TOWN (4-1-4-1): Halwax, Yoro, Hand, Irhue, O’Shea, Manuel, Ugbesia, Topcu, Doran, Norris, Murtagh.

Subs:- Robinson for Norris, Campbell for Ugbesia, Oluwafemi for Murtagh and George for Doran (all in the 70th minute). 

BRAY WANDERERS (4-1-4-1): Corcoran, M Murphy, P Murphy, Cantwell, Duggan, Bartley, C Knight, Brennan, R Knight, O’Neill, Curtis. 

Subs:- Almirall for C Knight, Kinsella Bishop for Curtis (both 62 mins); Ferizaj for R Knight (71 mins). 

Referee: Daryl Carolan.