Longford town 3 - 2 Wexford Youths (AET)

• Deniese O'Flaherty
• Wed, Jun 17 2009


Longford Town booked their place in the fourth round of the FAI Cup with a well-deserved win over Wexford Youths after extra-time at Flancare Park.

Youths made them fight all the way but in the end Gareth Cronin’s side deserved to advance after over two hours of football this evening.

The game was entertaining at times but really sparked into life in extra-time. Town took the lead for the first time in the game just two minutes into the first period of extra-time and extended their lead with just five minutes of the game remaining. The visitors pulled a goal back after Gavin Doyle had his penalty saved by Anthony Fennelly but the home side dug in to hold on for the win.

The Town just showed one change from Sunday’s game in Wexford. Derek Glynn was replaced up front by Adrian Murphy, who scored the Town’s second goal in the first encounter. Glynn was to later make an impact on the game.

Youths manager Mick Wallace made several changes to his side who came from 2-0 down on Sunday to claim the draw.

Wexford had the first chance in the game in the 3rd minute. Ex Limerick player Gary Sheahan forcing an excellent save out of Town keeper Anthony Fennelly.

The visitors took the lead in the 12th minute; a corner whipped in from the right met the head of the unmarked Patsy Malone who made no mistake from close range. Malone had missed the first game through suspension.

Adrian Murphy had a chance for the home side shortly after. Jinks played the ball over the Youths defence and Murphy broke free, he cut along the endline but his effort was deflected out by the feet of goalkeeper Packie Holden for a corner.

Three minutes later and Town were on level terms. It was Murphy that did all the work; he crossed the ball from the endline into the box, it got the slightest of flicks and fell to Curran who fired an unstoppable shot past Holden. It was the Sligoman’s third goal in as many games and his second goal against Mick Wallace’s men, after opening the scoring on Sunday in Ferrycarrig Park.

Youths could’ve regained the lead 12 minutes after the interval. Conor Sinnott whipped the rather dubious free into the box, David Breen got his head to it but it just bounced wide of the far post.

Moments later and Liam Lynch had an effort for the home side but his powerful shot was saved by Holden.

Gavin Doyle had a free-kick from about 25 yards out in the 70 minute but it went wide of Anthony Fennelly’s post. And just a minute later Sheahan had a chance but he blasted his shot wide.

Substitute Liam O’Loughlin created another chance for the visitors in the 75th minute; he broke into the box and crossed for Sheahan at the far post but unfortunately for Youths he failed to get a touch to it. Town defender Tom King put in a well timed tackle seven minutes from the end of normal time to deny Sinnott.

With time ticking down the lively O’Loughlin hit a cracking goal bound volley but Town keeper Fennelly pulled off a spectacular save to keep his side in the game.

Two minutes into the first period of extra-time Town took the lead. Curran played a fantastic ball into the path of substitute Derek Glynn; he raced through on goal and although Holden got a hand to the ball he was unable to prevent the home side from getting their second of the evening.

Jason McCartney had a chance to extend the home side’s advantage but Holden pulled off a good save, Glynn picked up the loose ball but his shot was blocked down.

The home side thought they had put the game beyond any doubt when they got their third goal of the game. Wexford defender John Flynn-O’Connor heading past his own keeper Holden with just five minutes of extra-time remaining. Wexford broke from their kick-out and Town conceded a penalty when McCartney fouled Vickers in the box. Gavin Doyle stepped up and just like Sunday afternoon his spot-kick was superbly stopped by Fennelly but it was deja-vu with Doyle following through with the rebound.

Longford Town: Anthony Fennelly, Tom King, Michael Lee, Stephen Gough, Brian McCarthy, Carmine Russo, Colm Jinks, Gary Curran, Liam Lynch, Adrian Murphy, Jason McCartney. Subs used: Derek Glynn for Lynch 74mins, Jim Sheridan for Curran 107mins, Darragh Concannon for Jinks 112mins. Subs not used: Ray Kenny, Derek Glynn, Shane O’Brien, Dean Clarke.

Wexford Youths: Packie Holden, Anto Russell, John Flynn O’Connor, David Breen, Jimmy Keohane, Shane Dempsey, Patst Malone, Gavin Doyle, Conor Sinnott, Gary Sheahan. Subs used: Liam O’Loughlin for Keohane 68mins, Robert Vickers for Dempsey 103mins Subs not used: Richie Fitzgerald, Garret McCurtin, Pa Doyle.

Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin)