The unfortunate story continues as Longford Town lose to UCD

Longford City . . . 1 UCD . . . 2

Longford Town’s centenary celebrations were a mixed bag, with little cause for celebration in their centenary season. The wretched history continued, with the club losing to promotion play-off contenders UCD in a First Division match at Bishopsgate on Saturday evening.

The battle to rebound from the bottom of the table is very difficult at the moment, but everything seemed to indicate that the tide might turn when the hosts broke the deadlock in the final minutes of the first half.

The loyal Longford fans, gathered in a small crowd, witnessed a bizarre goal giving the visitors the lead in the 34th minute when Bastien Hery struck from distance deceived opposing goalkeeper Kian Moore, who somehow allowed the ball to sail over his head and into the net.

This went against the grain of the game, as the students squandered at least three good chances and in one instance the ball was twice cleared off the goal line when new signings goalkeeper Harry Halwax and defender Eric Yoro came to the rescue.

Having fallen behind after conceding a bizarre goal, UCD did not have to wait long for an equaliser as a header from substitute Adam Wells (newly on the pitch after replacing the injured Kyle Donoghue) found the back of the net in the 40th minute after Michael McCullagh’s cross from the right wing levelled the scores at the break.

To their credit, Town tried to regain the lead in the second half, with newcomer Daniel Norris almost scoring with a header, and then in the 61st minute the UCD keeper saved Viktor Serdeniuk’s shot just inside the post.

Interestingly, referee Alan Patchell did not award a clear corner, one of the few harsh decisions made against a Longford side who have been down on their luck in these difficult times for the club.

UCD immediately counter-attacked, the hugely experienced Ronan Finn (another substitute) delivering a cross from the right wing, bypassing the blocked Town keeper Halwax and hitting the unmarked substitute Michael Raggett who headed the ball into the empty net.

Halwax was making his debut after signing from Leinster Senior League side Maynooth University Town, and his crucial second goal for the students came as a real blow to the midfielders, who had been punished for poor defending.

UCD managed to persevere and take all three league points to keep their chances of promotion alive, with their bench playing a significant role in this hard-fought victory.

After Longford substitute Emmanuel James had an attempt to equalise blocked, the visitors should have had a third when Raggett’s 79th-minute shot went wide under pressure from the onrushing Halwax.

Soon afterwards, Town created a number of good chances in quick succession but subsequent substitute Ross Fay failed to get a hold of the ball in the penalty area and the danger was averted.

Longford now face a long journey to County Cork, where they will face Cobh Ramblers at St Colman’s Park on Friday (kick-off 7.45pm), and will be hard-pressed to avoid another defeat.

LONGFORD CITY: Harry Halwax, Shane Elworthy, Eric Yoro, Dean O’Shea, Kyle O’Connor, Bastien Hery, Karl Chambers, Viktor Serdeniuk, Daniel Norris, Francis Campbell and Jordan Adeyemo.

Writings:- Ross Fay for Chambers and Emmanuel James for Adeyemo (both 74th minute); Adam Wixted for Hery (87th minute).

UCD: Kian Moore; Luke O’Regan, Eanna Clancy, Niall Holohan, Kyle Donoghue; Ciaran Behan, Donal Higgins, Adam Verdon, Michael McCullagh; Jake Doyle and Colin Bolton.

Writings:- Ronan Finn for Behan (injured, 28th minute); Adam Wells for Donoghue (injured, 31st minute); Michael Raggett for Bolton, Sean Brennan for Verdon and Sam Norval for Higgins (all 60th minute).

Judge: Alan Patchell.