Drogheda United 0
Longford Town 3
GOALS HAVE PROVED hard to come by for Drogheda United this season, but Johnny McDonnell will have taken considerable hope from his side’s two goal salvo against St Patrick’s Athletic last Monday.
Within two minutes at United Park tonight, any momentum the Drogs had carried on form that game had been lost. David O’Sullivan’s early goal got Tony Cousins’ Longford Town off to the best possible start. Hopes that Drogheda would find their feet as the game wore on did not transpire.
Against this Longford defence, perhaps it’s little wonder Drogheda couldn’t find the net. The visitors back four is as experienced as you’ll find in the league. Pat Sullivan, Pat Flynn, Mark Rossiter and Conor Powell have nine career league titles between them.
They were resolute and Town’s attackers were clinical. The opener arrived after good build up play and when Gary Shaw’s impudent flick found David O’Sullivan, he dinked over Micheal Schlingermann.
It could have been two, maybe even three soon after. O’Sullivan forced a save from the goalkeeper before Pat Sullivan put wide and Shaw wasted a superb opportunity when clean through.
Drogheda had half chances too but Mick Daly and Lloyd Buckley – neither renowned goalscorers – blazed their respective volleys over.
Longford were well worth their lead and deservedly scored a second on 59 minutes. O’Sullivan turned provider for captain Mark Salmon. He found himself in space in the area and turned the right wing cross in.
Sean Thornton was dismissed late on for a dangerous challenge and with eight minutes left, substitute Kaleem Simon crossed from the left for Salmon to poke in for his second and Longford’s third.
The Midlanders have a first away win of the season. Now Drogheda must prepare for next week week’s trip to face in-form Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium.
DROGHEDA UNITED: Micheal Schlingermann, Sam McGowan, Lloyd Buckley, Alan Byrne, Joe Gorman, Sean Thornton, Mick Daly, Jason Marks, Cathal Brady (Lee Duffy, 71) Tiernan Mulvenna (Stephen Maher, 78), Daryl Kavanagh (Carl Walshe, 84).
LONGFORD TOWN: Paul Skinner, Pat Sullivan, Mark Rossiter (Jamie Mulhall, 84), Pat Flynn, Conor Powell, Mark Salmon, Stephen Rice, Ayman Ben Mohamed (Rhys Gorman, 75), Kevin O’Connor, Gary Shaw, David O’Sullivan (Kaleem Simon, 75).
Man-of-the-match: Ayman Ben Mohamed
Referee: Anthony Buttimer