- Shane Bradley
- Sat, Apr 13 2013
Longford Town extended their lead to four points at the top of the Airtricity First Division after a hard fought win over Wexford Youths at Ferrycarrig Park on Friday night.
What made this victory more impressive was the fact that they had to play for almost an hour with ten men, after Keith Gillespie was dismissed after 36 minutes for a kicking out on Youths’ Thomas Croke.
Longford dominated the opening exchanges with skipper Mark Salmon narrowly missing the target with a long range volley form 30 yards after ten minutes. Etanda Nkololo was proving a threat down the right hand side for Town and his cross was headed from David O Sullivan but it never troubled Graham Doyle in goal.
Youths were given a real gift by Longford’s keeper Chris Bennion when his poor pass was intercepted by Joey Mulcahy and he was one-on-one but he blazed his shot over, a great opportunity missed by the Youths. Keith Gillespie had a long range effort saved by Doyle but minutes later, he would be at the centre of attention as he kicked out at Thomas Croke and Referee Andrew Mullally had no hesitation in showing a red.
Wexford Youths will be disappointed in the second half in that they failed to take advantage of the extra man and they created very little, a concern for Shane Keegan’s men as they have only hit the net four times so far this season - the lowest total in the league.
In the 56th minute Longford broke the deadlock after Nkololo’s good work down the left .He played in David O Sullivan who finished low to the net, his seventh goal in seven games this season.
A minute later, a flick on header from Gary Shaw had him in on goal and he saw his excellent strike hit the post and wide. Youths made a double substitution to try and create something with Broaders and Hawe coming in, but to no avail.
Nkololo came close on the counter attack and, after a brilliant solo run, he saw his shot cleared off the line by Thomas Croke.
The best the Youths could muster came five minutes from time when a set piece headed by Aidan Keenan was brilliantly saved by Chris Bennion, low to his left.
However Longford’s ten men held out and deserved the three points to extend their lead at the top to four points. For Wexford, there will be concerns certainly regarding their lack of goals so far this season.
Wexford Youths: Graham Doyle; Shane Clarke (Shane Nolan 67), James Dermody, Jamie Carr, CJ Browne (Dean Broaders, 68), Caolon O Gorman, Eric Molloy, Thomas Croke, Aidan Keenan, Joey Mulcahy, Shaun Corcoran (Glen Hawe, 67).
Subs not used: Gary Delaney, Graham Delaney, Daryl Power.
Longford Town: Chris Bennion; William Mcdonagh, Noel Havery, Brian McCarthy, William Tyrell; Keith Gillespie, Mark Salmon, Etanda Nkololo; Daniel Purdy (David O’ Neill, 39), David O Sullivan (Michael Isichei 85), Gary Shaw (Gavin Doyle 78) .
Subs not used: Keith Quinn, Paul Hunt, Chris Deans.
Referee: Andrew Mullally.
Attendance: 323
Man of the Match: Etanda Nkololo (Longford Town).
