Longford Town 0-1 Kildare County
Saturday, 9 August 2008Longford's recent inconsistency continued in Flancare Park, as Kildare County came away with a single-goal victory against Aaron Callaghan's side.
The home side could have snatched an equaliser in the closing stages but a man-of-the-match display from Kildare keeper, Austin O'Neill ensured that Kildare were not going to leave without maximum points.
John Ryan's side hit the front after nine minutes through Colin Fortune. The former Galway and Athlone man rose highest to thunder a header past Neil Gallagher.
The men from Station Road should have doubled their lead soon after. However, a promising attack culminated with Craig Mooney's close-range effort being blocked away by a hesitant home defence.
Rob Douglas came close to heading Longford level in first half stoppage-time. However, his effort was well stopped by O'Neill.
Longford improved greatly on the resumption. However, chances came and went as Kildare seemed content to sit back and protect their lead.
Opportunities fell to Jason Oladele, Daire Doyle and Evan Connolly during a good spell for the home side midway through the half.
However, narrow misses and, sometimes, defensive desperation saw the Thoroughbreads hold out for a win that sees them move off the bottom of the table.
Longford Town: Gallagher; Gough, Doyle, Brennan, Garry (O'Riordan 64); Murphy, Hardy (Connolly 64), Rushe, Douglas (Harte 58); Oladele, McKenna.
Kildare County: O'Neill; Osbourne, Donnelly, O'Connell, Murray; Slattery (Vickery 90); Brady (Kavanagh h/t), Fortune, Mooney; Robinson (Bowers 79), Kilduff.
Referee: C Fitzgerald (Dublin)
