Cousins rues late Mervue winner as injuries mount
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It’s always tough for a manager to see his side lose but when the winning goal is conceded with virtually the last kick of the game it’s a real blow. That’s what happened to Longford Town manager Tony Cousins on Monday night when his side lost 2-1 to Mervue United.
Town dominated the game but fell behind ten minutes after the break, they equalised through Mark Salmon in the 70th minute but right at the death received a real sucker punch. Cousins believes that not putting away chances proved very costly for Longford. “I think we had enough chances to win the game. The first half we dominated for long periods and their keeper pulled off two wonder saves. Overall it is a sickener because we dominated. But you go back to Shels, we dominated periods then but you have got to try and keep a clean sheet away from home. That’s the disappointment,” he told extratime.ie.
Cousins was disappointed with his side’s defending for the two goals. The goals the Town have conceded in recent games have been poor by their standards. “I thought the two goals were sloppy. You have got to defend properly and we didn’t do that. It cost us the match. The goals that we have conceded over the course of the season you have to look at them. We had enough chances in the game to win something,” the Longford boss admitted.
Town also had claims for a penalty turned just before Mervue got their winner, when Martin Conneely pushed Daniel O’Reilly over in the box. Town haven’t had much luck from referees this season when it’s come to spot-kicks. “Ah, the peno,” said Cousins. “We are not getting them at the moment. That’s the way it is. It’s a bad defeat for us. These games are crucial. We just have to pick ourselves up now.”
Cousins’ side now have to put this defeat behind them and try and bounce back as quickly as possible. Despite this set-back Cousins is glad with the way things are going so far this season. He said, “We are trying to play the game right. Even Johnny (Glynn) was on about the improvement in the team from last year. The only thing is that if you are playing like that you need to be putting away the chances. When it comes to the last eight games of the season we want to be in the hunt. This defeat is a bitter pill but we have to get over it.”
It wasn’t a great night all round for the Town. They were hit by injuries to key players both before and during this game. Austin Skelly failed a late fitness test and Cathal Brady missed out with a hamstring injury. During the game Craig Walsh picked up a knock and then Jacques Morley had to go off with an ankle injury and will be out for a number of weeks. Don Cowan is still struggling with a groin injury. It’s a blow for Cousins. “We are starting to pick up a few injuries. Jack is now gone for a few weeks. Don is struggling with his groin. Aussie (Skelly) was a massive blow for us. He puts away chances when he gets them. I thought to myself will we end up with any players for Friday. We have to re-group.”
Speaking about Friday night; Longford Town play Finn Harps in the FAI Cup. Despite being hit by injuries Cousins is looking forward to the game. “It’s the FAI Cup and we want to have a good run in it. I’ll have to see on Wednesday who is available to train. The one thing about the lads is that they give me everything. There’s a great spirit in the squad at the moment.”
Town dominated the game but fell behind ten minutes after the break, they equalised through Mark Salmon in the 70th minute but right at the death received a real sucker punch. Cousins believes that not putting away chances proved very costly for Longford. “I think we had enough chances to win the game. The first half we dominated for long periods and their keeper pulled off two wonder saves. Overall it is a sickener because we dominated. But you go back to Shels, we dominated periods then but you have got to try and keep a clean sheet away from home. That’s the disappointment,” he told extratime.ie.
Cousins was disappointed with his side’s defending for the two goals. The goals the Town have conceded in recent games have been poor by their standards. “I thought the two goals were sloppy. You have got to defend properly and we didn’t do that. It cost us the match. The goals that we have conceded over the course of the season you have to look at them. We had enough chances in the game to win something,” the Longford boss admitted.
Town also had claims for a penalty turned just before Mervue got their winner, when Martin Conneely pushed Daniel O’Reilly over in the box. Town haven’t had much luck from referees this season when it’s come to spot-kicks. “Ah, the peno,” said Cousins. “We are not getting them at the moment. That’s the way it is. It’s a bad defeat for us. These games are crucial. We just have to pick ourselves up now.”
Cousins’ side now have to put this defeat behind them and try and bounce back as quickly as possible. Despite this set-back Cousins is glad with the way things are going so far this season. He said, “We are trying to play the game right. Even Johnny (Glynn) was on about the improvement in the team from last year. The only thing is that if you are playing like that you need to be putting away the chances. When it comes to the last eight games of the season we want to be in the hunt. This defeat is a bitter pill but we have to get over it.”
It wasn’t a great night all round for the Town. They were hit by injuries to key players both before and during this game. Austin Skelly failed a late fitness test and Cathal Brady missed out with a hamstring injury. During the game Craig Walsh picked up a knock and then Jacques Morley had to go off with an ankle injury and will be out for a number of weeks. Don Cowan is still struggling with a groin injury. It’s a blow for Cousins. “We are starting to pick up a few injuries. Jack is now gone for a few weeks. Don is struggling with his groin. Aussie (Skelly) was a massive blow for us. He puts away chances when he gets them. I thought to myself will we end up with any players for Friday. We have to re-group.”
Speaking about Friday night; Longford Town play Finn Harps in the FAI Cup. Despite being hit by injuries Cousins is looking forward to the game. “It’s the FAI Cup and we want to have a good run in it. I’ll have to see on Wednesday who is available to train. The one thing about the lads is that they give me everything. There’s a great spirit in the squad at the moment.”
