Tough task for Longford Town away to Wexford FC in bid to bounce back

Longford Town manager Stephen Henderson has a job on his hands to lift his team after the disappointing result against bogey team Finn Harps who basically stole the three points from the season's opener at Bishopsgate on Saturday night last. 

The Town's new look team that included five debutants got off to a great start with debut goals from new signing, experienced striker Chris Lyons who joined us from Bray. 

Jamie Egan did very well in the centre of the defence while his partner in the centre Dean O'Shea also impressed.

Former Treaty United player Dean George played alongside Lyons up front and he, like many of our players, had a torrid time against a no nonsense Harps team who were very physical, to say the least.

 Last season Harps won on two visits to Longford and after twenty minutes we all expected that we would reverse the trend but after the two opening goals we looked lacklustre and let the visitors back into the game. 

Success Edogun, who recently joined Harps from Treaty, scored their opening goal as he burst his way through and gave his team a lifeline with their opening goal. 

Their second goal was a cracker. Midfielder Jamie Watson picked up the ball in the middle of the park and he headed for goal as the Town players let him through and he scored a rocket from 25 yards for a contender for goal of the season. 

The game seemed to be heading for a 2-2 draw but Harps had other ideas. Recent signing Success chased a ball to the end line and he crossed for Mark Mbuli to head home the winning goal. 

To say there was at least a hint of offside would be an understatement as there was at least a yard and a half offside. It's hard to lose the opening game of the season but under such circumstances.

On a weekend that saw huge crowds at all the opening fixtures, we have the same problem as previous seasons with poor officials making a mockery of the game and something has to be done to improve the standards. 

Despite conceding three goals, keeper Jack Brady had a fine game with a few outstanding saves.

The club have almost a week to prepare for the long trip to Wexford who crashed to a 3-0 away defeat against a very impressive Athlone side.

Wexford are coached by former Town assistant manager James Keddy who had them playing very nice football last season. 

Keddy has strengthened his squad this year with Mikie Rowe looking a very good acquisition. 

Wexford were minus the impressive Cian O'Malley who failed a late fitness test before the game and there is no doubt he was sorely missed. 

Wexford have quite a few former Town players in their squad at the moment with Ben Lynch, Kian Corbally and Mark Hanratty starting the game in Athlone. 

Aaron Dobbs and Aaron Robinson were on the bench as was Thomas Oluwa who joined the club from Athlone Town. 

Longford and Wexford played each other four times last season. In mid-April the Town lost 2-1 at home.

The teams met in Wexford a month later and on that occasion the Town had a very emphatic 3-0 victory.

 On the first of July the teams met in Bishopsgate and the Town won 2-1 

The final meeting between the teams was at Wexford at the end of September. The home side won this game comfortably with goals from Luka Lovic 31 mins and Aaron Dobbs 53 mins. 

There is no doubt that the Town will face a tough test down in Wexford on Friday night in the bid for a positive result.