League Preview: Finn Harps -v- Longford Town

FINN HARPS

Having fallen to fifth, Finn Harps return home to face bottom side, Longford Town in Ballybofey as both chase a precious three points.

A run of one win in their last six has seen Harps overtaken by Athlone Town and Bray Wanderers after fourteen league games.

Club captain, Tony McNamee, came up with the goods last weekend, his strike sealing an invaluable victory over strugglers, Treaty United, in their last outing at Finn Park.

On the Bank Holiday, though, Darren Murphy’s men fell to a slender loss at The Carlisle Grounds, a result they’ll aim to bounce back from against visitors, Longford.

LONGFORD TOWN

Despite occupying the basement slot, The Town enter this fixture buoyed by their first victory over the season, on Monday against ninth placed Kerry.

Francis Campbell and Luke Wade Slater struck to provide Longford with a two-goal cushion, one they wouldn’t relinquish at Bishopsgate despite Ryan Kelliher’s setting up a nervy finale.

Having only accrued a meagre four points prior to that win, it was certainly a morale-boosting result for Longford, now under the leadership of interim manager, Wayne Groves.

With one of their many defeats coming at the hands of Harps on the season’s opening night, blowing a two-goal lead in the process, Longford Town will be keen to both exact revenge and maintain their recently discovered, upward trajectory.

Referee: Alan Patchell.

MATCH STATS

Chris Lyons bagged a brace in the reverse fixture but that wasn’t enough to prevent his side falling to defeat.

Over last season’s four games, Finn Harps won both games at Bishopsgate but only managed one point from their two games in Ballybofey.

Prior to losing at UCD, Longford Town’s last away outing saw the dramatically salvage a point against Wexford, Dean O’Shea and Jordan Adeyeet mo netting.

PREDICTION

Finn Harps 3-2 Longford Town.

FINN HARPS

Injured: Conor Tourish, Kevin Jordan, Aaron McLaughlin.

Doubtful: Patrick Ferry.

Suspended: None.

LONGFORD TOWN

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.