Harps lose additional floor on leaders after defeat to Longford City

A formidable win within the Cup final week proved a false daybreak as Finn Harps had been purchased bouncing again all the way down to earth by Longford City at Finn Park.

Finn Harps…0 Longford City…1

Simply two factors separated these two groups earlier than kick-off with Longford City holding the slight benefit over Harps.

By Charlie Collins at Finn Park with photos by Joe Boland

Runaway leaders Galway Utd trying sure to take the automated promotion spot, Waterford Utd are odds-on to complete second whereas Cobh Ramblers and Athlone City trying robust in third and fourth.

It’s now perhaps a case of the race for the ultimate play-off spot being the one factor out there to the subsequent 5 groups who’re separated by seven factors, with tonight’s two and Treaty Utd having performed a recreation lower than Wexford and Bray.

So a win tonight for each groups was important to remain within the play-off image.

After an excellent sufficient opening fifteen minutes devoid of any clear-cut possibilities, the guests took the lead within the seventeenth minute when Beineon O Brien Whitmarsh did nicely down the precise and his glorious cross was headed residence off a publish by Cristain Magerusan.

Harps responded nicely to this setback and pushed ahead with out actually creating any clear possibilities.

Within the thirty fourth minute Longford went near a second purpose, Gary Armstrong did nicely huge on the precise and his cross discovered the top of Magerusan however he couldn’t get the mandatory energy to beat keeper Rory Kelly.

An excellent Harps transfer within the forty first minute involving Tony McNamee and Stephen Doherty compelled a nook nevertheless it was nicely handled and we reached half-time with the guests 0-1 forward.

Simply earlier than the break Harps defender Daithi McCallion was injured when difficult for a excessive ball and needed to be eliminated by stretcher.

Harps began the second-half nicely and had the guests on the again foot, Patrick Ferry received on the top of transfer within the forty eighth minute however shot straight at ‘keeper Jack Brady and in a counter assault Harps Matthew Makinson received a yellow card for a foul on Magerusan as they contested a harmful by ball.

Tony McNamee went shut with a cracking 25 yard piledriver within the 59th minute, his effort simply clearing the crossbar with ‘keeper Brady struggling to get to it.

Harps then obtained one other big blow within the 63rd minute when Makinson received a second yellow after which crimson card for a rash problem on Beineon O Brien Whitmarch in midfield, the Longford man had to get replaced.

Each groups made quite a few modifications , Harps having to reshape after the crimson card and needing a purpose to attempt to get one thing from the sport, each Aaron McLaughlin and Sean O Donnell had been launched.

Longford may have clinched it within the 72nd minute when sub Joshua Guirgi burst by however blasted huge.

On the different finish a nicely labored free-kick by Tony McNamee to Ryan Flood compelled save by Jack Brady and the rebound simply didn’t come down rapidly sufficient for the ready Aaron McLaughlin and was cleared.

To their credit score, Harps ten males battled arduous proper to the top however regardless of six minutes injury-time simply couldn’t get that important equaliser and it led to one other residence defeat and the the trail to that last play-off spot getting harder.

It completed 0-1 to the guests.

Finn Harps: Rory Kelly; Semi Scott Wara, Daithi McCallion ( Ellis Farrar 45mins ) , Matty Makinson , Stephen Doherty , Max Hutchison , ( Aaron McLaughlin 70mins), Jamie Watson , Tony McNamee , Ryan Flood. , BJ Banda ( Caoimhin Porter 65mins), Patrick Ferry ( Sean O Donnell 70mins).

LONGFORD TOWN ; Jack Brady, Gavin O’Brien ( Bastien Hery 75mins), Lewis Temple, Oisin Hand, Shane Elworthy ( Mohammed Boudiaf 90mins ) , Kyle O’Connor, Adam Wixted, Viktor Serdeniuk, Gary Armstrong ( James Doona 75mins), Beineon O’Brien Whitmarsh ( Joshua Giurgi 64mins), Cristian Magerusan ( Jordan Adeyemo 78mins).

Harps lose additional floor on leaders after defeat to Longford City was final modified: August twenty sixth, 2023 by Employees Author