Wretched Ramblers Terrorised by 'Town
Longford Town scored their highest win of the season and in doing so they moved back on top of the First Division with a superior goal difference over Bray Wanderers. Stephen Kenny can be pleased with the performance of his players as he prepares for the top of the table clash with Bray on Friday night. For most of the game the Town were in command in all areas of the field and their dominance could have seen them put more past the Ramblers.
Keith O’Connor who started his first full game for the Town since injury in October was the thorn in Cobh’s side. The young Dubliner’s strength and skill was rewarded with two fine goals and he was unlucky not to become the first First Division player to score a hat-trick this season with several good chances.
The Town had their first chance on goal in the 7th minute with a shot from local lad Enda Kenny after Keith O'Connor was awarded a free kick. A minute later Cobh had a chance to open the scoring with a curling shot from Liam O’Connor.
For all the possession the Town had in opening minutes it was Cobh who took the lead in the 16 minute. A cross from Liam O’Connor was eventually turned into the net by Willie Bruton. The Town plugged away for an equaliser and deservedly got one five minutes later. A shot from Keith O’Connor was turned into the net by Cobh’s Packie Kelly.
Keith O’Connor who was causing the Cobh defence problems fired the Town into the lead in the 26th minute.
Stephen Gavin picked out O’Connor and with great skill and control he unleashed a curling shot from the edge of the box into the top left hand corner of the net. Two minutes later a Stephen Gavin shot curled to the left and wide.
Shortly after that Cobh had a chance to grab an equaliser but Paul Perth done well to head Willie Butler’s shot off the line. Four minutes from the break the Town extended their lead through Keith O’Connor. A corner played in by Enda Kenny fell to O’Connor who shot yet again into the top left hand corner for his second goal of the game and his 6th for the Town this season.
The Town kept piling on the pressure on Cobh’s goal in the second half and Keith O'Connor was unlucky not to grab his hat-trick when a Stephen Gavin cross was shot just wide by O'Connor in the 53rd minute. Two minutes later came the turning point of the game when Cobh had a chance to get back into the game. Paul Coughlan went down in the box after a well timed tackle from Paul Perth. A somewhat dubious penalty was awarded. Up stepped Donal Golden who shot low to the right but lucky for the Town Stephen O’Brien judged the spot kick superbly to palm the ball to one side.
That was Cobh’s last real chance of the game and it was only a matter of time before the Town extended their lead by more.
Stephen Kelly, Keith O’Connor and Richie Parsons all had chances on goal. Parsons coming closest in the 82nd minute with a 25 yard chip after spotting the Cobh keeper off his line. In a four minute spell before the end the Town put three past the helpless keeper Donegan. Stephen Kelly blasted the ball into the centre of goal after a neat perfect cross from substitute Shay Zellor. Zellor’s quick thinking saw him grab the Towns 5th, two minutes later after cheekily dispossessing keeper John Donegan and all that was left for him to do was to slot the ball into an empty net.
A minute from time came the perfect ending for this fine display from Longford Town when captain Wes Byrne got onto the scoresheet with a cracking individual goal. From 20 yards out and on the sideline Byrne curled home a super strike.
The Town who have now scored 11 goals in their last three outings will be hoping to consolidate top spot by taking something out of their game with Bray. Hopefully a large contingent of Longford Town Supporters will travel to cheer on the boys in the Carlisle Grounds.
© Longford Leader