Longford Town 1-0 UCD
Saturday, 21 July 2007 23:06Longford Town brought to an end a run of four straight defeats with this morale-boosting win against a very poor UCD outfit. This was Longford first win in 12 games and only their second of the season.
They should have hit the front in the 18th minute. Dave Mooney was put through by Pat Sullivan but his shot whizzed across Darren Quigley's goal. The loose ball eventually fell to Dessie Baker, whose effort was well saved by Quigley.
Baker again brought the best out of the UCD custodian in the 42nd minute. This time his low drive was parried to safety as the Students, despite enjoying plenty of possession failed to threaten Mick Dempsey's goal throughout the entire opening period.
The first talking point of the second half did not arrive until the 71st minute. Pat Sullivan whipped in a right wing cross and the slightest of touches from Baker saw the ball whiz just past the post.
Baker had another shot that was well gathered by Quigley in the 80th minute, while two minutes later Alan McNally cleared Dave Mooney's effort off the line.
Longford were relentless going forward and were again denied by a super Quigley save in the 84th minute. This time the keeper did brilliantly to deny Damian Brennan, whose header looked destined to open the scoring.
UCD had their best chance of the game in the 85th minute but Derek Doyle's well struck shot was narrowly over Dempsey's crossbar.
However, Longford were not to be denied and Gary Deegan pounced for an injury time winner. Robbie Martin pulled the ball back for Deegan and the midfielder's low strike crept inside the near post despite Quigley's best efforts.
Longford Town: Kelly; Sullivan, Brennan, Prunty, O'Riordan; Duffy, Freeman, Deegan, R. Martin; Baker, Mooney.
UCD: Quigley; Mahon, McNally, Kenna, Berminghan (Crowley 71); C.Byrne, Finn, McDonnell, Doyle; Forsyth (Purcell 85), Sammon.
Referee: D Tomney (Dublin).
