League Preview: Finn Harps -v- Longford Town

FINN HARPS

Dave Rogers and his play-off chasing Finn Harps will take on First Division strugglers Longford Town on Friday night (kick-off is at 8pm).

Harps have found their form in recent weeks under their new boss – and are now sitting in a promising position in the table after a wretched start.

And they will be looking to continue forward momentum on Friday night against Longford.

“We’ll welcome Stephen (Henderson) and Gavin (Peers), their players and their supporters to Finn Park for what we know will be a very difficult game,” Rogers said. 

“For us, it’s another opportunity to keep gaining momentum. There are three points at stake and we want to go and win them.

“We want to get out and play our style of football, play on the front foot and to enjoy the game. We know we’ll have another great atmosphere created by our home support.

“And hopefully now with the weather beginning to turn and the brighter evenings we might entice a few more people down to Finn Park to get behind a team that are proud to play for this club and this community.”

Cian Lynch is expected to be Harps’ only absentee for Friday’s clash at Finn Park.

LONGFORD TOWN

Yet to find their stride this season in terms of results, Longford Town have it all to do in order to catapult themselves back into the play-off picture.

Last weekend yielded a point at home to Bray Wanderers – but Town were perhaps unfortunate not to have claimed all three.

And they will be hoping to use that performance as a platform to kick on during the weeks ahead under boss Stephen Henderson.

“We have been a bit inconsistent and that probably comes down to us being a young team,” Town midfielder Gary Armstrong said.

“I think we will only get better as the season goes on.

“The performance against Bray Wanderers is the standard of performance that we should set from the second round of fixtures on.

“If we do, we can definitely pick up points along the way.”

Longford are likely to be without the services of James Doona, Derek Daly and Cristian Magerusan for Friday’s trip to Co Donegal.

Aaron Walsh may also miss out after limping off in last week’s draw against Bray Wanderers.

Referee: Paul Norton.

PREDICTION

Finn Harps 2-0 Longford Town

Finn Harps

Injured: Cian Lynch.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Longford Town

Injured: Cristian Magerusan, James Doona, Derek Daly.

Doubtful: Aaron Walsh.

Suspended: None.