Jack Brady’s man-of-the-match performance helped Longford Town beat league leaders Galway United 1-0 in bishopsgate.
Superb keeping from Jack Brady and Christian Magerusan’s 10th goal of the season sealed a valuable three points writes Tony Ghee.
Whereas, Longford Town nearly opened the scoring on eight minutes. As, Magerusan persistence creating the chance.
Magersuan finding Jordan Adeyemo who picked out Adam Wixted on the edge of the Galway box. However, Wixted’s deflected shot went narrowly wide.
Galway United, runaway league leaders, were always dangerous. On 20-minutes, Robert Slevin headed the ball back across goal to Killian Brouder who headed just over the bar.
Four minutes later, Wixted delivered a curling free-kick into the Galway box, which was volleyed just over by Longford centre-half Lewis Temple.
The hosts took the lead on the half-hour mark. Adeyemo raced onto Slevin’s ball. The low curling cross was despatched to the Galway net from close range by Magerusan.
Another corner almost produced the equaliser for the Galway four minutes later. David Hurley’s corner was headed inches over the bar by Slevin.
Galway produced a high energy start to the second-half, creating three chances in the first 10 minutes. Ed McCarthy fired off a 20-yard shot, which was straight at Jack Brady. The unmarked Brouder fired over from 15-yards, following a Hurley cut-back. While, a Stephen Walsh bicycle kick from Oisin O’Reilly’s cross was saved by Brady.
Galway completely dominated the second-half, laying siege to the Longford goal. However, resolute defending and superb goalkeeping from Brady kept the Tribesmen at bay.
On 69 minutes a dangerous Hurley cross found its way through the crowded penalty area. Brady producing a great reflex save.
Jack Brady Outstanding
Brady was called into action again just a minute later. Hurley’s corner found the unmarked Walsh at the back post, but his close-range header was brilliantly pushed onto the crossbar by Brady.
Whereas, Galway should have equalised six minutes from time. Former Town heroes Rob Manley and Aodh Dervin combined to unlock the Town defence. Manley went clean through on goal, slipping the ball under the advancing Brady. Somehow, Brady managed to flick the ball with the back of his heel away from goal.
Galway kept coming forward in waves but the superbly marshalled Town rearguard propelled attack after attack.
Longford almost caught Galway on the counter in the last seconds of the match. However, James Doona’s low diagonal shot was saved by Galway stopper Brendan Clarke.
This vital victory moves Longford to within two points of Wexford FC in the final play-off place.
TABLE | SSE Airtricity Men's First Division
Longford Town are back up to sixth after their hard-earned win over the leaders tonight! 🪜#LOI | #LOITV pic.twitter.com/6gWQgjzVNJ
— League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) September 2, 2023
Longford Town (5-3-2): Brady, Elworthy, O’Brien (Doona 74), Temple, Hand, O’Connor, J. Armstrong (Boudiaf 74), Serdeniuk, Wixted (Hery 83, Adeyemo (Giurgi 74), Magerusan (O. Adeyemo 83).
Galway Utd (4-1-2-3): Clarke, O’Connor (Dervin HT), Slevin, Brouder, O’Reilly (Tarmey 85), McCormack, Borden (Walsh HT), Hurley, McCarthy, Aouachria (Manley 64), Lomboto (Clarke 59).
