League Report: Longford Town 2-1 Galway Utd

Longford moved into the play-off positions as they deservedly came from behind to beat Galway at Bishopsgate on Friday night. A rocket from Darren Craven sealed the result to record their first home league win of the season.     

It was a damaging set-back for Galway who had looked in control for much of the first-half. They, and especially Caulfield, were furious at decisions which went against them at crucial points. It saw their first loss of the campaign. 

Longford were unchanged from last weeks impressive victory at Wexford. John Caulfield elected to make three changes from the win in Athlone. Both Diego Portilla and Jordan Adeyemo dropped to the bench, while Alex Murphy was absent due to injury. Stephen Walsh, Max Hemmings and Charlie Lyons all started in their place. 

Galway started in strong fashion given their positive start to the season. They soon had the ball in the back of the net, but it was ruled to be offside. Charlie Lyons was the man with the final touch in this instance. It came from a free kick that resulted from a late challenge by Dean McMenemy on Ed McCarthy.

If they were denied on this occasion, it was not long before they went in front for real. And it came in bizarre circumstances. The ball is played back to Luke Dennison with Wilson Waweru lurking. The keeper played it out to Michael McDonnell who decided to play it back to him. It only resulted in the final pass going into his own net. 

The home-side were stung by this early concession and found it hard to really carve out many chances despite plenty of possession. Darren Craven had an effort blocked after good movement down the left-hand side and Ryan Graydon had a chance hacked away after a good combination between himself and Sam Verdon. The likes of Conor McCormack and Ed McCarthy were strangling any potential dangers in front of them. 

Sloppiness began to creep into their play as half-time approached though. Darren Craven was pushed just outside the area and Kearns was forced to tip over McMenamy’s resulting free. Another foul led to the home fans screaming for a penalty after the ball hit an arm in the box. Nothing given as it was by his side. 

The warnings were not heeded as Longford equalised just before the whistle. Lyons failed to deal with a ball played forward by Craven. Graydon took the chance to chip it into the area and the waiting Verdon. He managed to bundle it home despite protests it had struck his hand.   

The expected onslaught from Galway at the start of the second-half did not materialise. It resembled much of the opening period where Longford had plenty of the ball and them sitting back to soak up the pressure. A breakaway almost led to a second home goal but for an excellent block from Conor O’ Keeffe as Graydon threatened. It was a rare bright moment in an otherwise fallow period from both sides. 

Much of the danger Galway presented came from set-pieces. Lyons saw his headed caught with ease by Dennison. Walsh was then booked as he went to ground in the area after a header was only half-cleared. The appeals seemed rather sheepish from the player in question. Brouder then had a chance from another McCormack delivery but was off target. 

 Verdon had to be subbed after an apparent head injury and his replacement was immediately involved in the lead goal. He intercepted a long goal kick by Dennison ahead of the defender. It popped up nicely for Craven and his fierce shot flew past Kearns. Graydon tried his luck moments later but was always leaning back on his strike. 

Galway were now in the position of having to chase the game. Caulfield attempted to freshen up his attack with a number of substitutions to inject new energy. Francely Lomboto almost had the desired effect. His first touch found Jordan Adeyemo in a good position. Just before he could get his shot away, McDonnell was there to block the effort. Him and the rest of the backline were really putting their bodies on the line for the cause. David Hurley had one late chance for a point, but his shot went just wide. 

Delight for the home fans as they see a first home win. Caulfield remonstrated with the referee at the final whistle over what he believed to be questionable decisions. They must hope to get back to winning ways in Cobh next Friday. Longford can bring this confidence into their trip to Waterford on the same night.    

Longford Town: Luke Dennison; Shane Elworthy, Dylan Barnett, Ben Lynch; Darren Craven, Michael McDonnell, Dean McMenamy, Eric Molloy (Matthew O'Brien 86), Aaron Robinson; Ryan Graydon, Sam Verdon (c) (Callum Warfield 75).

Subs not used: Lee Steacy, Adam Hayden, Michael Barker, Matthew Dunne, Karl Chambers, Joe Power.

Booked: Dean McMenamy (6), Shane Elworthy (31), Ben Lynch (93).

Sent off: None.

Galway United: Conor Kearns; Stephen Walsh, Conor O'Keeffe, Charlie Lyons, Killian Brouder; Conor McCormack, Edward McCarthy (Francely Lomboto 85), David Hurley, Max Hemmings (Dean O'Shea 56), Wilson Waweru (Jordan Adeyemo 67); Mikie Rowe (Gary Boylan 56).

Subs not used: Matthew Connor, Evan O'Connor, Diego Portilla, Ronan Manning, Manu Dimas.

Booked: Stephen Walsh (64) Colin Fortune (89).

Sent off: None.

Referee: Oliver Moran

Attendance: N/A

extratime.com Player of the Match: Michael McDonnell