Cristian Magerusan came to Longford Town’s rescue as they snatched a 2-1 victory over bottom side Kerry in Bishopsgate.
Magerusan’s winner makes Longford unbeaten in three. While Kerry fell to their fourth successive one goal defeat, writes Tony Ghee.
A very dull opening 20-minutes produced very little action with the visitors creating two half-chance. New Signing Martin Coughlan involved in both.
Coughlan shot well wide from inside the Town box after just two minutes. Five minutes later, Coughlan latched onto a poor Jack Brady kick out. Coughlan played a superb pass to Leonardo Gaxha only for the Kerry skipper to drag his shot well wide.
The Town almost took the lead on 36 minutes when a poor clearance from Kerry keeper Lee Duggan was intercepted by O’Brien Whitmarsh. Kerry centre-half Samuel Aladesanusi produced a brilliant block.
Longford went ahead on 41 minutes via Gary Armstrong. Adam Wixted’s corner was not cleared properly by the Kerry defence. The ball came out to Armstrong whose out-swinging 25-yard shot evaded Kerry stopper Duggan into the corner of the net.
Kerry were back on level terms just two minutes after the restart. Daniel Okwute was fouled inside the penalty area by Longford’s Dylan Hand. Up stepped Leo Gaxha and despite Brady getting his gloves on the ball, the ball found the net.
Indeed, Kerry keeper Duggan produced two quickfire saves on 75 minutes. A curling Adam Wixted shot, just outside the box produced a fine save from Duggan. Duggan responded quickly to stop Magerusan’s rebound effort from a tight angle on the right.
Gaxha came close for the Kingdom side just a minute later, but he fired into the Town side netting.
Longford regained the lead 11 minutes from time when substitute Magerusan headed home Wixted’s corner for his third goal of the season.
Red Card
Meanwhile, it was an embarrassing debut for Longford substitute Bastien Hery as he was only on the pitch for four minutes before being shown a straight red card after an incident with Kerry substitute Ronan Teahan.
Whereas, the result leaves Longford Town in eighth place in the League of Ireland first division on 25 points. Longford are five points off the play-off places.
Longford Town (5-3-1-1): Brady, Elworthy, Walsh, Temple, Hand, O’Connor (Daly 66), Armstrong, Serdeniuk (Serdeniuk 66), Wixted (Giurgi 81), Adeyemo (Doona 66), O’Brien Whitmarsh (Hery 88).
Kerry FC (3-4-2-1): Duggan, Barrett, Aladesanusi, Kos, Gleeson (Kelliher 83), Silong (Teehan 60), Coughlan (Keane 80), O’Connell, McGrath, Gaxha, Okwute.
Referee: Oliver Moran
