Longford Town bounced back from defeat at Tolka against Shelbourne last Friday with a controlled display against Galway United this evening at the City Calling Stadium. A 12th minute goal from the in-form Dean Byrne set the pace for the home side ea
Longford Town bounced back from defeat at Tolka against Shelbourne last Friday with a controlled display against Galway United this evening at the City Calling Stadium.
A 12th minute goal from the in-form Dean Byrne set the pace for the home side early on. Full-backs Anto Breslin and Shane Elworthy attacked down each wing and it was the latter's efforts that proved crucial in the opening goal.
Elworthy drove down the right before playing in Sam Verdon towards the corner. He whipped in a low ball across the Galway box to find Dean Byrne who blasted it into the net past Horgan.
It wasn't long before Longford got their second. On 20 minutes, A great run by Anto Breslin along the touch line set up Aodh Dervin just inside the Galway box. His curling cross towards the far corner was met by Sam Verdon who made no mistake from close range.
Galway had an early opportunity to take the lead but Stephen Walsh's free kick was straight into the hands of Lee Steacy in the Longford goal. Ivan Gamarra worked his socks off and tried to get the Tribesmen going in midfield but he had his work cut out for him with Dean Zambra and the returning Jamie Hollywood pulling the strings for Longford.
Galway needed a goal early in the second half to get back into it and they got just that on 56 minutes when substitute Shane Doherty got on the scoresheet, in under a minute of coming on. A through ball played in behind the Longford defence saw him chip Lee Steacy to get the west coast side back into the game.
Both teams had numerous chances to score in the second half, Sam Verdon of Longford should have had his second when he turned inside the box but his shot was blasted over the bar.
Ludden went close for Galway but his shot was narrowly wide. In the end, Longford's defence held out for an all important victory and 3 vital points to see them go back into second in the league, just one point behind Shelbourne.
