Longford Town 1 - 0 Finn Harps

• Deniese O'Flaherty
• Sat, Aug 14 2010


Peter Hynes was the Longford Town hero as they leapfrogged Finn Harps into 7th position in the table with a deserved win over the Donegal side in Flancare Park on Friday night. Hynes was on the pitch 10 minutes when he unleashed an unstoppable 30 yard strike past Harps goalkeeper Gavin Cullen.

Town bossed the majority of the game but were unable to show their dominance on the scoreboard with the Harps net minder thwarting them on numerous occasions. In an entertaining first half, chances were limited. Town dominated proceedings but failed to create any real chance of note. The visitors had the first effort on goal. That came in the 28th minute when Stephen McLaughlin hit a low drive but it was cleared on the line by Town defender Chris Deans.

Town had a great chance in the 35th minute. Dave Freeman drilled a low shot into the box but unfortunately Jason Oladele couldn’t get a connection to it and the ball went wide. Just before the break Mark Brolly had a glorious opportunity but he flashed his header just inches wide of the far post.

Town had two great chances to break the deadlock in the early stages of the second half. In the 47th minute Oladele’s cross from the right met the head of Aiden Roche and his effort looked to be heading for the top left hander corner of the net but Cullen pulled off a superb save to deny the winger.

Minutes later Aidan Roche’s older brother Lee should’ve done better with his effort. After making a run down the wing the striker found himself through on goal and with no one to beat but Cullen but he blasted his effort wide.

The Town defence were nearly caught napping in the 61st minute but Oisin McMenamin’s lob bounced just wide. While minutes later Dave Freeman brought an excellent save out of Cullen.

Town were very unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty in the 75th minute. Craig Walsh's free-kick on the edge of the box was blocked by the Harps defence as Lee Roche attempted to go for the loose ball he was bundled over in the box. But to everyone's amazement referee John McLoughlin turned down Town’s appeal.

Town kept pressing for a goal and that came six minutes from time courtesy of a fantastic strike from Peter Hynes.

Longford Town: Aaron Shanahan, Niall O’Reilly (Gary Cronin 90), Chris Deans, John Lester, Mike Lee, Aiden Roche, Mark Salmon, Victor Ekanem, Dave Freeman (Craig Walsh 66), Jason Oladele (Peter Hynes 74), Lee Roche.
Subs not used: Kevin Cronin and Stephen Conlon.

Finn Harps: Gavin Cullen, James Doherty, John Minnock (Matt Crossan 34), Packie Mailey, Michael Funston, Stephen McLaughlin, Davitt Walsh (Kevin McHugh 70), Mark Brolly, Mark Forker, Oisin McMenamin (Chris Breen 78), Keith Cowan.
Subs not used: Tommy Bonner and James Gallagher.

Referee: John McLoughlin
Attendance: 190 approx.
extratime man of the match: Mike Lee (Longford Town)