Longford Town skipper Dean Zambra: 'We have a great, honest group of lads - but it's a mistake here and there every week that's costing us'

Longford Town captain Dean Zambra

Longford Town captain Dean Zambra Credit: Al Robinson (ETPhotos)

Longford Town captain Dean Zambra admits that mistakes are costing the Red and Black dearly this season as they find themselves rooted to the foot of the table.

Following Waterford’s win over Dundalk on Friday evening, only a win over St Patrick’s Athletic on Saturday would have seen Longford climb off the foot of the table.

But after a difficult first-half against the Saints, Town reacted well and were level by the 48th minute thanks to an Aaron Dobbs penalty.

However, Pats would capitalise on some sloppy Longford defending, falling behind again in the 64th minute and then the game was out of their reach by the 81st after a Ronan Coughlan header.

“I think we were beaten by a better side overall,” Zambra told extratime.com after Saturday’s defeat.

“We had a spell where we got back in it where it was one-all but then another unforced error gave them the lead and they saw it out well.

“We’re being competitive in the games and we’re just a little bit off. We give teams goals in this league, and they eventually run out winners.

“It’s something that has plagued us this season and we need to turn it around quick.”

He added: “It’s the same interviews and same talk in the dressing room every week. We’ve a great honest group of lads but it just seems to be a mistake here and there every week.

“Everyone is owning up to it. Nobody is shirking responsibly or hiding, but it’s these errors that kill you in games.



“In the Premier Division a mistake means a goal and you’re chasing a goal to get back into the game.

“It feels like the same conversation every week, but we need to keep plugging away and use that 85% that’s good and try and turn that into 100% and produce a complete performance.”

Saturday’s defeat saw 200 fans visit Bishopsgate for the first time this season – and Zambra is hoping that a bit noise and atmosphere can help drive the side in the coming weeks.

“It was great that the fans were back,” he said. “It has been a strange existence in the last year with nobody around at the grounds.

“We’re going to need the fans between now and the end of the season. A bit of noise and atmosphere from the crowd will help us.

“The more we get in the merrier and we can do with all the help they can give us.”



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