Home frustrations as Finn Harps defeated by Longford Town

The airs of frustration swept over Navenny Street as Finn Harps fell to defeat against Longford Town on Friday night.

Finn Harps 0 Longford Town 1

Christian Magerusan scored the game’s only goal in the 19th minute as Longford move into sixth - and just five points off the play-offs.

Harps’ woes were compounded with Matthew Makinson sent off and Daithi McCallion stretchered off.

Makinson saw red in the 64th minute, a lunge on Beineon O’Brien-Whitmarsh earning a second yellow card of the second half. Just ten minutes earlier, the Harps defender was booked for a foul on Magerusan.

Longford had hit the front when Magerusan cut on the end of a Beineon O’Brien-Whitmarsh cut back and his low effort from the edge of the box went in off the base of the post.

Harps were dealt a major blow just before half-time when centre-back McCallion - Makinson’s parter in the heart of the Harps rearguard - was stretchered off. The on-loan Derry City defender has been one of Harps’ leading lights this season despite his tender years. The likely absence of McCallion, who seemed to suffer a shoulder injury, is certainly not ideal for the Donegal side ahead of a crucial period in the season. 

A bout of illness ruled captain Ryan Rainey out of action, but Harps were able to return Jamie Watson to their XI, the Englishman having missed the last couple of games due to a leg injury.

With manager Dave Rogers unable to attend due to the death of his uncle Alan in England, assistant manager Darren Murphy took charge of Harps from the dugout.

Harps began with some promise, Tony McNamee seeing a powerful effort from way out on the left take a slight deflection on its way over after a Ryan Flood corner found its way into his path.

McNamee turned provider after a quarter-of-an-hour, but Max Hutchison couldn’t get a touch to the Ramelton man’s deft ball forward.

Longford stunned Finn Park into silence when breaking the deadlock. There had been an early warning shot when, just four minutes in, O’Brien-Whitmarsh fed Elworth, who bundled home only for Conor Fitzgibbon’s flag to swiftly end the celebrations.

Longford might’ve doubled the lead on 34 minutes, but Magerusan was off target after good approach work by Gary Armstrong down the right flank.

Harps came out with a purpose in the opening minutes of part two, but Jack Brady, the Longford Town goalkeeper, saved from Patrick Ferry as the hosts went in search of an equaliser.

Just shy of the hour, McNamee tried his luck again from distance when the ball fell into his path. In space, McNamee’s shot flew narrowly wide of the target.

Makinson’s dismissal knocked Harps for six, but they did fashion a good opening when subs Sean O’Donnell and Aaron McLaughlin combined, only for the latter to be knocked over as he went for a connection.

Flood was denied by Brady at the near post six minutes from the end after a well-worked free kick and McLaughlin’s follow-up was blocked.

Bastien Hery, who had a spell at Harps under Ollie Horgan’s management last season, curled wide in the dying moments with an attempt at wrapping the contest up.

Finn Harps: Rory Kelly, Scott Wara, Daithi McCallion (Ellis Farrar 45), Matthew Makinson, Stephen Doherty; Jamie Watson, Max Hutchison (Aaron McLaughlin 71), Ryan Flood; Tony McNamee; BJ Banda (Caoimhin Porter 65), Patrick Ferry (Sean O’Donnell 71).

Longford Town: Jack Brady; Lewis Temple, Gavin O’Brien (Bastien Hery 65), Dylan Hand; Viktor Serdeniuk; Shane Elworthy (Mohammed Boudiaf 90), Gary Armstrong (James Doona 65), Adam Wixted, Kyle O’Connor; Beineon O’Brien-Whitmarsh (Joshua Giurgi 65), Christian Magerusan (Jordan Adeyemo 78).

Referee: Robert Dowling.