28 JULY 2008: LONGFORD TOWN 0-3 DUNDALK

LONGFORD TOWN 0-3 DUNDALK FC Monday 28 July 2008: Flancare Park   LILYWHITES COAST TO FLATTERING VICTORY   A 25-yard rocket from midfielder Paul Crowley set league leaders Dundalk on the way to their fourth win in five matches, as the Lilywhites overcame a disappointing performance in the opening period to coast to a comfortable 3-0 win over struggling Longford Town at Flancare Park on Monday evening. Crowley fired in an unstoppable volley eleven minutes into the second-half, before Tiarnán Mulvenna and ‘Captain Courageous’ John Flanagan added late goals to give the Lilywhites a hugely flattering three-goal victory.   After surviving a number of scares as Longford dominated the opening half, Dundalk settled after the break, with Crowley’s long-range cracker easing the nerves in the Lilywhites side. However, it could have been so different for the Louth club had impressive Longford winger Jason Oladele converted the hosts’ best two chances of the game. Shortly before the break, goalkeeper Chris Bennion denied Oladele with a fine block, before the Scottish netminder repeated the trick midway through the second period as he again saved with his legs.   Those two moments shaped the game in Dundalk’s favour, and they capitalised on it clinically as, after gaining confidence from Crowley’s strike, the Lilywhites showed why they are league leaders and title favourites. Expertly closing the game out, the visitors netted two killer goals in the final ten minutes. Firstly, Mulvenna finished brilliantly under ‘keeper Neil Gallagher after being assisted by an inch perfect through ball from sub Davie O’Connor, before David Crawley and David Cassidy combined to set-up Flanagan for his third goal in five days.   For the trip to the midlands, manager John Gill made three changes to the side which easily defeated Monaghan United 3-0 at Oriel Park the previous Thursday. Ex-Longford winger Jamie Duffy was unavailable as he had to serve an automatic one-match suspension for his red card last week. Duffy was joined on the sidelines by midfielder Paul Shiels and striker Trevor Vaughan, who both took their place on the bench. The trio were replaced by midfield pair Paul Marney and Paul Crowley, and striker Robbie Farrell, who started his first game since these teams last met in May.   In a bright start, Longford had an early chance as they almost broke the deadlock after just fifteen seconds. Darren McKenna found his way in behind the visiting backline, however, a combination of captain John Flanagan and goalkeeper Chris Bennion thwarted the striker’s efforts, before Ian Ryan cleared the danger. Just two minutes later, Longford were in again as Jason Oladele was put through by a deflection. However, Bennion raced from his line to blast the ball into touch, before Dundalk tried desperately to find their feet.   Following a busy opening, the chances dried up thereafter. However, when the next opportunity did arise - seven minutes before the break - it again fell to Longford. Dundalk lost possession in the middle of the field before Oladele broke in behind the defence following a slip by Ben Whelehan. However, Bennion, as so often in the past in one-on-one situations, saved his side, as he blocked the winger’s shot with his legs. From the resulting corner, the midlanders had another chance, however, Rob Douglas blasted wide after ghosting in at the back post. Moments before the interval, Oladele had yet another opening, however, this time, Ryan did well to win the duel.   Following the resumption, Dundalk started a little better, however, they were unable to create a clear opening. That was until eleven minutes in. Flanagan took a clever throw-in down the right and found Paul Crowley 25-yards from goal. In the past, the midfielder has shown an eye for goal, and he unleashed an unstoppable rocket to the top corner of the net for a ‘Goal of the Season’ contender - at this point, it looks a certainty to win it. Moments later, the Lilywhites had another opportunity, however, from the edge of the area, Cassidy fired wide.   Just over twenty minutes from time, Longford had a golden opening to get an equaliser, as Oladele capitalised on a defensive mistake by Whelehan. However, with just Bennion to beat, the youngster was denied brilliantly by the ‘keeper before the covering defence cleared. Buoyed by that let-off, Dundalk could have doubled their advantage within seconds, however, Robbie Farrell dragged his shot wide from a good position. On 79 minutes, Cassidy saw his shot from inside the box deflected over, as the visitors chased an insurance goal.   And, they soon got it. Substitute Davie O’Connor picked up possession inside the hosts’ half and ran at the Longford defence, before slipping in Tiarnán Mulvenna with a superlative through ball. And, the 19-year-old stayed calm as he slid the ball under ex-Lilywhite goalkeeper Neil Gallagher from close-range. Three minutes later, Dundalk made it a flattering 3-0. Sub Trevor Vaughan forced a foul on the by-line, with David Crawley playing a short free-kick to the feet of Cassidy, whose delicate cross was expertly turned in by scoring machine Flanagan.   dundalkfc.com Man of the Match: CHRIS BENNION (Dundalk)…Dundalk’s last line of defence proved the team’s saviour here, as he twice came out on top in one-on-one situations. On 38 minutes, Jason Oladele broke through, however, Bennion denied him as he produced a top class save to block the ball behind for a corner. After Dundalk went one goal up, a slip by Ben Whelehan - just over twenty minutes from time - allowed Oladele in again. However, closer in, Bennion once more stood tall as he pulled off an identical stop to the first. Those two saves kept the Lilywhites’ mission on track, as the 27-year-old once again proved that when called upon as last man, there is no better person to have between the sticks. Excellent performance from the Scot, who paved the way for the rest of his team-mates to find gold at the other end of the pitch.   MATCH STATS: Longford Town - Dundalk FC Goals: 0-3 Shots: 7-11 Shots ON Target: 3-5 Shots OFF Target: 4-6 Fouls Committed: 11-14 Corners: 4-4 Offsides: 0-2 Yellow Cards: 1-3 Red Cards: 0-0   LONGFORD TOWN (4-5-1): Neil Gallagher; Stephen Gough (Michael Lee 71), Daire Doyle, Stephen Brennan, Daithi Garry; Gary Murphy (Shane Harte 87), Luke Hardy (Evan Connolly 78), Damien Rushe, Robert Douglas, Jason Oladele; Darren McKenna. Booked: D Rushe (74). Unused Subs: Nathan Weiss, Declan Weir.   DUNDALK FC (4-4-2): Chris Bennion; John Flanagan, Ben Whelehan, Ian Ryan, David Crawley; Paul Marney, Paul Crowley, David Cassidy, Paul Smyth (Davie O’Connor 59); Robbie Farrell (Trevor Vaughan 75), Tiarnán Mulvenna (Paul Shiels 84). Goals: P Crowley (56), T Mulvenna (80), J Flanagan (83). Booked: J Flanagan (65), P Crowley (67), D Cassidy (70). Unused Subs: Aaron Shanahan (GK), Shane Grimes.   Referee: Rob Rodgers (Dublin). Attendance: Approx. 500.

 

Dundalk Football Club Oriel Park, Carrick Road, Dundalk Tel: 042 9335894