Finn Harps.........1

Longford Town.1
By Aiden O'Donnell

FINN Harps grabbed a second successive win after narrowly defeating Longford Town on Friday night at a rain swept Finn Park. Mark Forker's first senior goal midway through the second half was enough to stretch the clubs current unbeaten record to three games and provide James Gallagher's side with their first back-to-back league wins all season.

The side showed three changes to the side that beat Kildare last weekend in Newbridge with Ian Rossiter, Sean McGowan and Oisin McMenamin replacing James Doherty, Packie Mailey, and Gary Whoriskey who were all unavailable. From the off it appeared to be a very attacking lineout with Marc Brolly partnering Oisin McMenamin in attack and both Christy Conaghan and Stephen McLaughlin occupying either flank. However, the Harps management team who were of course without James Gallagher from the sideline as he served the first of a four match ban, were forced into making a few tactical changes a little bit earlier than they would have liked. The pitch looked to be in dire shape and did little to help Harps' cause for keeping the ball on the deck. With that in mind, Mark Moran was introduced in place of McMenamin, who then swapped places with McLaughlin as the home side tried to counter the aerial threat of Gareth Cronin's side.

Longford, who were without the suspended Brian McCarthy, looked the slightly more dangerous in the opening phases, frequently opting for the agricultural long ball which almost caught out the Harps rearguard on two occasions in the first half. Adrian Murphy went extremely close just before the quarter of an hour mark after a nicely cushioned Liam Lynch knock down set up the winger but his effort flew just over. Mick Foley threatened again from a similar situation but just like Murphy, failed to hit the target.

Harps first real chance didn't arrive until the thirty first minute when Ciaran Coll went on a storming run the length of the pitch. After evading several challenges, the opening arrived for the left back but he unselfishly cut back for Christy Conaghan whose eventual shot was blocked by the outstretched leg of Jordan McMillan. Two minutes later and McLaughlin was unlucky not to get a fuller contact on an Ian Rossiter delivered cross. Longford though were unlucky not go in at the break ahead.

In the thirty eighth minute, Sean McGowan looked like he had gifted Tom King a free effort on goal when he failed to clear but almost immediately after the error, the makeshift centre-half atoned with an almighty block.

Harps started the second period in much brighter fashion and were very unfortunate not to go into the lead after a well worked set piece. After Brolly had been brought down by Kevin Cronin outside the area, McLaughlin and Funston combined with the latter forcing Jason McCartney into a last ditch clearance off the line. McLaughlin was looking livelier as the game went on and had two headed efforts go agonisingly close. The goal though arrived on the sixty fifth minute and it was no surprise to see two of Harps' best players on the night at the start and end of the move. Conaghan who had McCartney on the back foot all night, barged his way into the area before forcing the ball through to Mark Forker and with time on his side, the midfielder arrowed the ball into the far bottom corner, and in truth got the goal his industry deserved.

Harps were on top but Longford will be kicking themselves they didn't leave Ballybofey with at least a share of the points as they were presented with a trio of guilt edged chances in the dying stages. Firstly, Colm Jinks dinked a delightful ball over the Harps defence for Derek Glynn but his half volley was parried well by Ciaran Gallagher, who had literally been called into action for the first time all night. Moments later and Glynn then missed an unbelievable free header after a teasing cross from Adrian Murphy had left the substitute with the simplest of efforts. Shockingly, Glynn was again the Town villain as he raced onto another Murphy pass, this time lifting the ball over the advancing Gallagher only for the ball to trickle inches wide of the left upright. Harps though held on and could have had a second goal when McLaughlin chased down Danny O'Leary's clearance with the ricochet rocketing narrowly wide of the post.

With two wins on the trot, it is the perfect start for James Gallagher and his side to the final series of games. However, If there was one negative for the manger, it would have been that his side were not more clinical late in the game. As Longford pressed in search of an equaliser, Harps had a number of opportunities to stretch their lead but more often than not, opted for the wrong avenue in attack.

They now travel to Mervue next week - another side Harps are unbeaten against this season - hoping to keep the train rolling slowly and discreetly up the league table.