Mervue United 3 - 2 Longford Town

• Terry Flaherty
• Mon, Apr 20 2009


Mervue Utd recorded their first home win of the season against a struggling Longford Town side who have now failed to win in five games despite leading twice in Saturday night's game played at Terryland Park. A much improved second half performance by the home side enabled them to claim all three points as they scored three goals in a 20-minute spell.

Mervue manager Johnny Glynn made only one change to the side that won in Kildare last week as David O’Brien returned at right back with Mixie Harty dropping to the bench. Longford made three changes to the side which lost to Athlone last weekend as Gary Curran, Liam Lynch and Daragh Concannon came into Alan Gough’s side.

The visitors got off to a great start after just five minutes as Ger McGrath, under pressure from Brian McCarthy, headed into his own net following a Longford corner kick. Mervue responded after 14 minutes as David O’Brien’s cross was headed over by Nicky Curran while David O’Dowd also had an effort go wide when in a good position. The first half proved to be a dour affair as very few clear-cut chances were created by either side.

Longford nearly doubled their lead on 37 minutes after a great run by Derek Glynn resulted in him crossing for Liam Lynch to get a header on target which Ryan Griffin did well to tip over the crossbar for a corner. At the other end, a good run down the right wing by David O’Dowd saw him cross to Mike Tierney who flicked on for David Goldbey but he was unable to get a touch before the danger was cleared by Jim Sheridan.

The closest the home team came to a first half equaliser was a minute before the break as a great run by David O’Brien from right back saw him cut through the middle of the Longford defence before he struck a good effort just over Gough’s crossbar.

The second half proved to be much more open affair with plenty of chances at either end, with the home team coming into the game a lot more. Three minutes after the break Damien O’Rourke headed Rory Gaffney’s cross into Gough arms while at the other end Carmine Russo had a shot well saved by Griffin. On 52 minutes Tom King crossed for Daragh Concannon to set up Derek Glynn who pulled his effort just wide.

Mervue finally equalised on 55 minutes as Nicky Curran released Mike Tierney down the right and McGrath knocked his sweeping low cross past Gough to made amends for his earlier misdemeanour at the other end and level matters at 1-1. This goal really sparked the home side into life as they got a number of good balls into the Longford box, but without ever testing Gough.

Longford weathered the storm and retook the lead on 71 minutes. A foul on the left saw Gary Curran float a free-kick to the back post were Carmine Russo blasted home to put the visitors in front again.

Mervue, though, to their credit, responded well and scored twice in a frantic three minute spell to put their heads in front. Left back Mark Ludden had a free-kick headed out for a corner kick by Ray Kenny which Gaffney delivered to the back post were Eric Browne powerfully headed the equaliser - his second of the season - which crashed in off the underside of the crossbar on 77 minutes. Three minutes later the home side were in front as David Goldbey shot into the corner past Gough after being played in by Tierney.

Substitute Alex Lee should have added a fourth for the home side two minutes later after a great run by fellow substitute Ollie Keogh saw him cross for Goldbey to set up Lee but he blasted over from six yards with the goal at his mercy.

A good run through the middle by Longford’s Liam Lynch resulted in him shooting over Griffin’s crossbar as Mervue replaced the tiring Goldbey with Gary Traynor. In the final minutes Colm Jinks almost stole a point for the visitors as he headed just over Griffin’s crossbar as Mervue held on to collect their third win of the season and move onto ten points.

Mervue have now won their last two league games and can look forward to the visit of First Division leaders UCD next Friday night. Longford’s woes, on the other hand, continue, having now lost their last four league games and they are yet to win a game away from home this season.

Mervue United: Ryan Griffin, David O’Brien, Mark Ludden, Damien O’Rourke, Eric Browne, Ger McGrath (Ollie Keogh, 72 mins), Rory Gaffney (Alex Lee, 81 mins), Nicky Curran, Dave Goldbey (Gary Traynor, 87 mins), David O’Dowd, Mike Tierney.
Subs not Used: Mixie Harty, Kenny Farrell.

Longford Town: Alan Gough, Ray King, Tom King, Jim Sheridan, Brian McCarthy, Carmine Russo, Colm Jinks, Gary Curran, Liam Lynch (Adrian Murphy), Derek Glynn, Daragh Concannon.
Subs Not Used:Jason McCartney, Brian Murtagh, Andy Birmingham, Eoin Hoare.

Referee: Phil Caschera.