Longford Town target three more precious points away to Kerry FC

The Town beat the runaway league leaders Galway who are currently 15 points ahead of Waterford United and John Caulfield’s strong side will soon be crowned the First Division champions.

 It's amazing to think that the top two teams were beaten on the same weekend and by two midland teams. Athlone  travelled to the RSC on Friday last and came away with a fantastic 2-1 victory. 

Longford Town, by virtue of their 1-0 win over Galway, have moved up to sixth in the table and are now only two points away from the magical fifth position and a place in the promotion play-offs. 

Stephen Henderson's side now look in a good position but the recent results will mean nothing if they don't get the three points in Kerry on Friday night.

The league newcomers are learning the ups and downs of senior football and despite their lowly position they have pushed most of their opponents in competing well in the majority of the games.

The Town have played Kerry on three occasions this season with the first game taking place at Bishopsgate on April 1. The Town won that game 2-0 and it was a personal triumph for Josh Giurgi who scored both goals. The second meeting between the teams took place in Mounthawk Park in early May and on that occasion the Town won 3-2.

 Stephen Meaney gave the Town the lead after eight minutes and team captain Shane Elworthy scored the second goal in injury time in the first half. 

Sean McGrath got a goal back for the home side in the 67th minute but almost immediately the Town regained their two goal lead when Kerry team captain Matt Keane scored an OG in the 68th minute. 

Kerry didn't throw in the towel and got back into the game six minutes later when leading scorer Ryan Kelliher scored but the Town held out for a hard earned victory and three vital points. 

The most recent meeting between the teams took place at Bishopsgate in mid July and this was also a very close encounter. 

Gary Armstrong gave the Town the lead after 41 minutes but the  visitors  got back into the game in the 47th minute with a very debatable penalty and it was scored by their striker Leo Gaxha. 

The Town's in-form striker Cristian Magerusan scored the winner in the 79th minute. 

There is no doubt that this Kerry side are a decent outfit and they will be a tough nut to crack, especially on their home pitch. 

Those present at the Galway game would confirm that the Town's Bishopgate Stadium has one of the best surfaces in the league as a whole and that is down to the fantastic work done by Seamus Murray and his team. Last Saturday night's performance was one of the best witnessed at Bishopsgate for years and there is no doubt that Galway and their management team will not be sorry to be getting away from Longford as they go to the promised land of the Premier Division.

 Cristian Magerusan with his excellent goal clinched the win over Galway which was a fantastic team effort and all sixteen players who played were all heroes in their own right. 

The team defended as if their lives depended on it and if we can keep up this form we will definitely reach the play-offs and we all know anything can happen in those games as the club have proven over the years. 

Town keeper Jack Brady had possibly the best game ever in a Town jersey. Teams who are doing well have good goalkeepers and fortunately we have one of the best. 

Shane Elworthy was outstanding in defence and while his partners at the back may be young and inexperienced, they came of age on Saturday. 

The midfield trio of Armstrong, Wixted and Serdeniuk held their own against their highly rated opponents and fought for every ball during this pulsating game. 

Up front we have the lethal Cristian Magerusan who is on fire and Jordan Adeyemo who is also a top class striker. 

Jordan's brother Ola replaced Cristian Magerusan in the 83rd minute and we also have Beineon O'Brien-Whitmarsh to come in which gives Stephen Henderson a strong hand for the final seven league games. 

The Town manager has assembled a very strong panel for the run-in especially when you consider that he had to plan for the season without the vast majority of last  year's squad who moved to other clubs.  

After the trip to Kerry the Town have a free weekend coming up due to the FAI Cup quarter-finals.

Longford take on Waterford  at Bishopsgate  on Friday September 22nd and are away on the following Monday night when they travel to Wexford for a crunch clash at Ferrycarrig Park. 

Thanks to our supporters who had the stand rocking on Saturday night in the game against Galway and of course the lads over in Section O on the terraces.