Salthill Devon 1 - 1 Longford Town
Credit:
A penalty from Derek O’Brien with virtually the last kick of the game saw bottom side Salthill Devon earn a dramatic point against league leaders Longford Town on Friday night in Drom.
Into the fourth minute of time allotted at the end of the second half substitute Rhys Gorman brought down O’Brien in the box and referee Sean Grant pointed to the spot straight away. The player dusted himself down and coolly dispatched the spot-kick past Town keeper Chris Bennion.
The Town bench were not happy with the Wexford official because just seconds before that Bennion had received an elbow to the face but instead of penalising the offending player Grant booked Bennion for complaining. Play continued with Salthill having a corner and from that the penalty was awarded.
It was a deserved result for Salthill and one that Town will be disappointed with after playing the majority of the second half with 10 men after Corie Treacy had been sent off for a second yellow.
In what was a drab and dour first half of football it was Salthill who had the better of the chances with Bennion having to be alert on more than one occasion. Town had half chances in the early exchanges with Josh O’Hanlon and Keith Quinn both putting their efforts wide when they really should’ve done better.
In the 26th minute Mixie Harty forced Bennion into making a fine save and then in the 33rd minute the Town net-minder had to pull off a good save with his feet to deny Graham Kelly.
The visitors’ performance improved after the break and in the 51st minute Quinn was unlucky not to score when he cut inside the Salthill defence but his low drive went wide. Minutes later Treacy received his marching orders for a second bookable offence; this came just three minutes after he got his name in the referee’s book the first time.
Down to 10 men Town showed character and in the 74th minute they broke the deadlock. Having had his initial shot blocked down, the ball eventually came back out to Willie Tyrrell and he curled his shot past Salthill keeper Ronan Forde.
Town failed to increase their advantage and as the clock ticked down Salthill went in search of an equaliser. They forced a few corners in a row and from one of them Bennion was fouled but no free was awarded. It was a crucial decision because the corner that was then swung in led to the penalty which O’Brien fired home.
Salthill Devon: Ronan Forde; Robbie Gaul, Evan Preston Kelly, Alex Byrne, Colm Horgan; Jean Biansumba, Mixie Harty, Willie Enulebe (Craig Harding 71), Derek O’Brien; Brian Geraghty, Graham Kelly (Timmy Molloy 81).
Subs not used: Jamie McGlynn, Danny Champion, Shane O’Rourke.
Bookings: Harty (84), O’Brien (89).
Longford Town: Chris Bennion; Noel Haverty, Corie Treacy, Willie Tyrrell, Glen O’Connor; Daniel Purdy (Gavin Doyle 60), David O’Neill, Etanda Nkololo (Rhys Gorman 72); Keith Quinn; Josh O’Hanlon (Michael Isichei 65), David O’Sullivan.
Subs not used: Paul Hunt, Chris Deans, Des Hope.
Bookings: O’Connor (39), Treacy (55), Isichei (88), Bennion (90+3).
Sending off: Treacy (58).
Referee: Sean Grant (Wexford).
Attendance: 100 (estimate)
Extratime Man of the Match: Willie Tyrrell (Longford Town).
