Bradley-Walsh spot on as Finn Harps win away to Longford Town

A first-half penalty from Joel Bradley-Walsh proved to be the difference as Finn Harps recorded a win over Longford Town at Bishopsgate on Saturday night.

The goal came in the ninth minute after Conor Errity’s high boot caught Idir Zerrouk; the foul appeared to be just outside the box but referee Daryl Carolan pointed to the spot. Bradley-Walsh made no mistake from the decisive penalty.

Town will feel aggrieved that they weren’t awarded a penalty themselves in the 74th minute when substitute Francis Campbell appeared to have been fouled by Conor Tourish, but the referee waved Campbell’s appeals away.

This result sees Harps leapfrog Longford and Wexford and move into fifth place in the table, while Town drop down to seventh.

The Donegal side were physically stronger than the young home side.

Nathan Lumingo was extremely impressive for them throughout the game, and Town struggled to handle him.

After Longford had won their first corner, Harps broke down the field and won one of their own. It was from that corner that the foul on Zerrouk happened, and the penalty was awarded.

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Despite the early goal, the next good chance on goal didn’t arrive until the 24th minute and it was the visitors who created the opportunity. Town keeper Kian Moore was forced into making a fine save to deny Lumingo.

Longford’s first decent effort on goal came on the half-hour mark, with Harps netminder Lorenzo Piaia pulling off an excellent save to deny Alex O’Brien. Down the other end in the 38th minute Temi Ajibola blasted the ball over the bar after a Harps corner.

Chances were scarce in the early stages of the second half. In the 62nd minute Piaia was called into making another good save; this time denying Pharrell Manuel.

As Town pressed for an equaliser, manager Wayne Groves made a quadruple change.

Campbell was only minutes on the pitch when he was fouled by Tourish in the box, but the referee waved away his penalty claims.

Harps brought many players back to defend as Town went in search of the equaliser. 

In the 84th minute, substitute Andy Parashiv saw his powerful effort from a rebound saved by Piaia. Town offered very little after that as Harps held on for the win.

Longford Town: Kian Moore; Daniel McKenna (Stefen Ugbesia 84), Cole Omorehiomwan, Conor Errity, Taylor McCarthy, Osaure Irhue; Alex O’Brien (Francis Campbell 72), Sean Moore, Pharrell Manuel (Andy Paraschiv 71); Daragh Murtagh (Aaron Doran 71), Dean Williams (Luke O’Brien 72).

Finn Harps: Lorenzo Piaia; Conor Tourish, Oran Brogan, Alex-Mathis Fanle, Joel Bradley-Walsh, Idir Zerrouk; Tony McNamee (Odhran McHugh 89), Daniel de Lacerda, Adam McDaid (Perrault Tokam 75); Nathan Lumingo (Max Johnston 87),Temiloluwa Ajibola (Shaunie Bradley 75).