League Report: Longford Town 1 - 0 Wexford

An unfortunate own goal from Wexford defender Joe Manley gave Longford Town all three points in an entertaining clash at Bishopsgate on Saturday night.

Wexford travelled to the midlands looking for the three points that would take them within a point of Treaty United as the race for the final play-off promotion place enters its final stages.

Following a 2-2 draw with Cobh Ramblers last weekend, Ian Ryan made three changes to his starting line-up with Dinny Corcoran, Len O’Sullivan and Ger Shortt replacing Conor Barry, Aaron Dobbs and Paul Cleary respectively.

For the home side, they reacted to a three-nil win over Bray Wanderers by naming an unchanged side.

Wexford had most of the early play with Thomas Considine’s curled effort whistling narrowly wide of Luke Dennison’s right hand post with two minutes on the clock.

The opening goal of the game came in rather fortunate circumstances for Longford Town. Skipper Adam Verdon rattled the post with an angled drive from just inside the box. The ball rebounded off the shins of the backtracking Joe Manley and into the net to open the scoring for the Midlanders just past the quarter hour.

Longford almost doubled the lead through Verdon as he found space inside the box but his low poked effort was pushed away by the sprawling Moody.

At the other end of the field, Dinny Corcoran’s effort was well saved down to his right by Dennison, who had to be even more alert as the half drew to a close. The American stretched to tip an overhit Harry Groome cross over the bar as it threatened to drop in.

The locals were still returning to their seats following the half time interval as Luke Dennison spread himself to deny Ger Shortt an equaliser with his legs before a more routine save was needed to save the former Collinstown striker’s header from the resultant corner-kick.

The duel between the two had another chapter written later in the half as the big Californian sprang to his left to touch a Shortt effort over the crossbar after good Wexford play down their right channel.

However, despite having the majority of the ball for the second half, Wexford failed to carve out any clearcut opportunities and it was the home side who almost doubled their lead in the dying embers of the game through Jordan Adeyemo. The former Galway United striker raced clear down the Longford left but his low effort kissed the bottom of the post and bounced to safety from a Wexford viewpoint.

Next weekend sees FAI Cup action as Dundalk travel to Ferrycarrig Park on Friday night while Longford have a rest week as they exited the competition at the hands of the Lilywhites in an earlier round.

Longford Town: Luke Dennison; Michael Barker, Dylan Barnett, Shane Elworthy, Michael McDonnell; Darren Clarke (Kian Corbally 56), Mark Hanratty (Karl Chambers 56), Dean McMenamy, Aaron Robinson (Brandon McCann 78), Sam Verdon (Adam Verdon 79); Jordan Adeyemo.

Subs not used: Colm Cox, Ben Lynch, Eric Molloy, Matthew O'Brien, Emmanuel James.

Booked: Luke Dennison (61), Dylan Barnett (62), Aaron Robinson (69).

Sent off: None.

Wexford: Alex Moody; Thomas Considine (Aaron Dobbs 72), Eoin Farrell (Paul Cleary 71), Joseph Manley, Len O'Sullivan, Jordan Tallon; Conor Crowley, Harry Groome, Luka Lovic; Dinny Corcoran, Ger Shortt.

Subs not used: Shay O'Leary, Adam Wells, Aidan Friel, Mitchell Byrne, Darragh Levingston, Luke Scanlon, Evan Farrell.

Booked: Luka Lovic (89) Joseph Manley (16).

Sent off: None.

Referee: Alan Patchell

extratime.com Player of the Match: Jordan Adeyemo