League Preview: Finn Harps -v- Longford Town

• Caoimhin Reilly
• Fri, Mar 25 2016




FINN HARPS

Finn Harps go into their third home league game of the season on Saturday evening against Longford Town, a game where Ollie Horgan will be aiming to pick up all three points.

 

Harps have made an impressive start to their first season back in the top flight in nine years. They have shown class in every game so far with Ryan Curran looking sharp up front, while their dogged and determined approach hasn’t withered regardless of their inability to keep clean sheets and pick up the all-important three points.

 

Indeed, Ollie Horgan’s men haven’t won in the league since the opening round, when they dramatically overcame Derry City in the North-West derby. Since then they have put up spirited performances against Dundalk FC, Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers. However, a single point return from those games is all the Ballybofey men have to accompany the excellent three points they secured on match-night one.

 

The Donegal side will take confidence though from their win over Cockhill Celtic in the EA Sports Cup this week. Ethan Boyle’s 24^th minute goal sent Harps through to face Galway United in the next round, and they will probably want to use that win as a spring board for further league victories in the weeks to come.

 

Ahead of Saturday evening’s match, Finn Harps manager Ollie Horgan said: “We always hope to get something out of every home game but that is a lot easier said than done. Longford had a great win away in Wexford which as we well know ourselves is a very difficult place to get anything out of.

 

“They finished in the top half of the table last year which was a brilliant achievement and they probably didn't get enough praise for that.”  

 

 

LONGFORD TOWN

Longford Town were seen in many quarters as early season candidates for relegation having lost the services of Gary Shaw, Stephen Rice and Ayman Ben Mohamed during the off-season. However, that tag was dispelled following their impressive 2-0 win in Wexford on opening weekend.

 

‘De Town’ failed to build on that victory though and have picked up only a solitary league point since. That was gained last weekend at the City Calling Stadium against Bray Wanderers.

 

David O’Sullivan’s bizarre second half equaliser gained ‘Town’ a point that they scarcely deserved on the balance of chances created. Tony Cousins would have welcomed the point though as they were soundly beaten in their previous home game by St. Patrick’s Athletic following the dismissal of captain Conor Powell.

 

They then succumbed to a thrashing in Turner’s Cross a fortnight ago, losing 6-0 to the Rebels and this destroyed what had been a promising start to their season following the opening night victory down on the South-East.

 

If the mid-landers are to get anything tomorrow night, on-loan AFC Bournemouth striker Josh O’Hanlon is likely to be key. The 20-year-old Dubliner re-joined Longford having scored seven goals for them in 22 appearances three years ago before moving to the English South Coast.

 

He, along with winger David O’Sullivan have looked sharp this season to date and Finn Harps should concentrate their defensive efforts on nullifying the threat of this pair of attackers.

 

Referee: Derek Tomney

 

 

MATCH FACTS

Saturday’s game between the teams will be their 82^nd meeting, 44 of which have been held at Finn Park. Finn Harps have won 35 of those game with 22 of them ending level. Interestingly, Longford have only ever won on 10 occasions at Finn Park.

 

Longford have only lost two of the last ten meetings between the sides and they both came in First Division encounters in March and May of 2013.

 

The last meeting between the sides came in last year’s Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup 2^nd Round Replay at Finn Park. With the game ending goalless after 120 minutes, Longford reigned victorious 4-3 on penalties to send them through to the next round. They went all the way to the semi-final where they lost to eventual double winners Dundalk FC.

 

 

BETTING

Finn Harps 5/4; Draw 23/10; Longford Town 21/10.

 

PREDICTION

Finn Harps 2-1 Longford Town.

 

 

Finn Harps

Injuries: Barry Molloy (knee), Sean Houston (hamstring), Josh Mailey.

Doubtful: Dave Scully & Packie Mailey.

Suspended: None.

 

Longford Town

Injuries: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspension: Kevin O’Connor & Pat Flynn.