League Report: Longford Town 2 - 6 Galway United

By Deniese O'Flaherty in Bishopsgate

A second half hat-trick from substitute Carlton Ubaezuonu saw Galway Utd come from behind to inflict a heavy defeat on Longford Town at Bishopsgate on Saturday night. This result sees Galway now level on points with fifth place UCD; the students have a better goal difference.

It was definitely a game of two halves; Galway were poor in the first but a different proposition in the second. Whatever manager John Caulfield said to them at half-time worked and the introduction of Ubaezuonu had the desired effect.

Once Galway went ahead in the 58th minute Town didn’t appear to have any fight in them. When the fourth goal went in there looked like there was only going to be one winner - Galway.

Town made a fine start and took the lead in the sixth minute; Aaron McCabe had a half volley saved by Galway netminder Michael Schlingermann and Rob Manley picked up the loose ball to shoot to the net.

It was poor stuff after that and chances were at a premium. On 33 minutes Town doubled their advantage when a long kick-out by Lee Steacy found Adam Evans and he found the net from a tight angle.

Although they had created very little, the visitors pulled a goal back just before the break when Marc Ludden finished from close range after a goalmouth scramble.

Two minutes after the break the visitors were on level terms when Marc Ludden capitalised on Steacy dropping the ball and he slotted the ball home. Galway took the lead in the 58th minute when a Stephen Christopher free found Carlton Ubaezuonu and he made no mistake with an excellent finish.

Four minutes later and Galway got their fourth goal when Steacy saved Maurice Nugent’s effort and Ubaezuonu scored the rebound. Dylan Hand tried his luck for Town in the 69th minute but Michael Schlingermann got back to superbly tip the ball over the bar.

Galway created a few chances before Wilson Waweru scored their fifth in the 79th minute after Shane Doherty cut the ball back to him. In the 80th minute Ludden played the ball into Ubaezuonu and he completed his hat-trick and a stunning turnaround for Galway Utd.

Longford Town: Lee Steacy; Shane Elworthy, Mick McDonnell, Dylan Hand, Joe Manley; Dean Zambra (Karl Chambers 63), Aodh Dervin; Sam Verdon, Aaron McCabe, Adam Evans (Aaron McNally 74); Rob Manley.

Subs Not Used: Luke Dennison, Niall Barnes, Matthew O’Brien, Dean Byrne, Joe Gorman.

Yellow cards: Joe Manley (12), Mick McDonnell (30), Sam Verdon (62)

Galway United: Michael Schlingermann; Jack Lynch, Maurice Nugent, Killian Brouder, Marc Ludden; Stephen Christopher (Donal Higgins 90+1), Conor Barry (Carlton Ubaezuonu ht), SamWarde, Shane Duggan, Shane Doherty (Chris Horgan 85); Wilson Waweru (Vinny Faherty 83).

Subs Not Used: Matt Conor, Francely Lomboto, Cian Murphy.

Yellow card: Shane Doherty (84), Vinny Faherty (90+4)

Referee: Alan Patchell (Dublin)

Extratime.com Man of the Match: Carlton Ubaezuonu (Galway Utd)