League Report: Drogheda United 0 - 3 Longford Town

A brace from Mark Salmon and an early goal from striker David O’Sullivan gave Longford Town their second away win of the season and moved them up to sixth in the Premier Division table.

It was an assured performance from the Town as they recorded their biggest win of the season so far and kept a clean sheet for only the second time.

Drogheda threatened a few times but never really troubled Town netminder Paul Skinner who had a firm back four in front of him with Mark Rossiter impressive. Other players that impressed were Ben Mohamed and Kevin O’Connor. While for the home side Sean Thornton put in a good shift in the middle of the park but finished the game early after receiving a straight red in the 75^th minute.

The visitors opened the scoring in the second minute when David O’Sullivan finished off a move involving Gary Shaw and Pat Sullivan.

O’Sullivan had a chance to double his side’s advantage in the 14^th minute but Michael Schlingermann got down to save. The home side’s first real chance came in the 18^th minute but Michael Daly shot over after receiving a pass from Jason Marks.

Shaw had a great chance to double his side’s advantage in the 34^th minute but he blasted his shot over the bar. Ben Mohamed was also guilty of poor shooting just before the break as the visitors ended the half well.

Minutes into the second half Mohamed had another chance but his shot lacked power and Schlingermann was able to gather. Tiernan Mulvenna squandered a good chance for Drogs in the 52^nd minute; he worked his way into the box but was forced out wide by good Town defending and his shot was blocked. The ball came back in but Town were able to clear.

Drogheda were to rue that chance minutes later as Town got their second of the night; goalscorer O’Sullivan turned provider for Mark Salmon to have the easiest of tap-ins.

Two mintues later and Town very nearly got another goal but Schlingermann was alert to come and gather the ball ahead of O’Sullivan.

The home side only played in patches but still had players that could cause danger; Cathal Brady found Daryl Kavanagh in the 66^th minute but his shot was saved  by Town keeper Skinner.

In the 75^th minute Drogheda were reduced to 10 men when Thorton was sent off for showing his studs in a tackle on Rossiter.

With numerical advantage Town contined to apply pressure as Drogheda couldn’t muster up any chances.

In the 82^nd minute Town got their third goal when substitute Kalem Simon played the ball across the face of goal and Salmon finished it to the net. Right at the end the midfielder could’ve got a hat-trick but he shot wide.

Drogheda Utd: Michael Schlingermann; Sam McGowan, Lloyd Buckley, Alan Byrne, Joe Gorman; Cathal Brady (Lee Duffy 71), Michael Daly, Sean Thornton, Jason Marks; Tiernan Mulvenna (Stephen Maher 80), Daryl Kavanagh (Carl Walsh 84)
Subs not used: Dylan Connolly (gk), Sean Brennan, Mark Hughes, Robert O’Reilly.

Booked: Byrne (56).
Sent Off: Thorton (75).

Longford Town: Paul Skinner; Pat Sullivan, Pat Flynn, Mark Rossiter (Jamie Mulhall 84), Conor Powell; Kevin O’Connor; Mark Salmon, Stephen Rice, Ben Mohamed (Rhys Gorman 77); Gary Shaw, David O’Sullivan (Kalem Simon 77).
Subs not used: Dan Henderson (gk), Martin Deady, Lorcan Shannon, Willie Tyrrell.

Booked: None

Referee: Anthony Buttimer (Cork)

Attendance: 651.

Extratime man of the match: Kevin O’Connor (Longford Town).