by Aaron Kelly
Unbeaten in their last three, Stephen Henderson’s new-look Longford Town continue their search for their first win of the season with the visit of Finn Harps to Bishopsgate this evening. Since the disappointing derby defeat to Athlone on opening night, Longford has produced strong away performances at Waterford and Bray and are now looking to go one better and claim their first win of the season in front of the home support.
Last time out Town kept their second clean sheet in a row in a scoreless draw at the Carlisle ground against Bray Wanderers. In the first half, Goalkeeper Jack Brady made two significant stops for Town to keep the scores level. Jamal Ibrahim’s cross-come shot in the 74th minute whistled just wide of the post for Town and was arguably the closest Stephen Henderson’s side came to breaking the deadlock. Longford held on for another crucial point on the road despite a late Jake Walker bicycle kick coming off the post.
Saturday sees the visit of Dave Rogers’ Finn Harps. A side that haven’t made the smoothest transition upon their return to the first division and actually sit a point behind Longford going into tonight’s game at Bishopsgate. Harps are also winless going into match week 5 with 2 draws and 2 defeats on the board so far. However, despite the slow start, Rogers feels Harps have reason to be optimistic going forward following their goalless draw with Wexford last time out “They want to keep getting better, they want to improve, and they love playing for Finn Harps”.
Goalscoring and chance creation has been the biggest issue for both of these sides in the early stages of this League of Ireland first division season with a total of 5 goals scored between them so far but with both club’s defences seemingly improving as the weeks go on, hopefully we get to see more that they have to offer in an attacking sense tonight in front of an expectant Bishopsgate.