1 v 0 
Longford TownDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 April 2021 | 6:00 pm | LOI Men's Premier Division | 2021 |
Match Report
Waterford bag vital win
10-man Waterford held on for a much needed 1-0 win against Longford at the Regional Sports Centre this evening.
The Blues goal came courtesy of Prince Mustunguma, who capitalised on a mistake from Longford’s Joe Gorman, and raced clear before shooting low past an onrushing Mick Kelly.
Longford played most of the football thereafter, and when Waterford’s Kyle Ferguson was sent off for a swinging elbow; the Midlanders looked well poised to claim at least an equaliser.
But, they were unable to make their numerical advantage count and Kevin Sheedy's side held on for their first home win of the season.
After a tumultuous week, a win against Longford was exactly what the doctor ordered for the hosts.
Legendary former Irish international Sheedy had come under pressure following a run of poor results; and reports of an unhappy changing room, culminated in him having to deny rumours that he had stood aside as The Blues manager earlier this week.
The game’s only goal mirrored its scrappy nature and came about when Mustwunguma seized on a heavy first touch from Longford’s Joe Gorman, to race clear, before slotting the ball past the oncoming Mick Kelly.
Longford largely controlled the remainder of this tie, but the Midland outfit were unable to convert that pressure on the scoreboard.
They had the lion’s share of possession but lacked the cutting edge necessary to trouble Paul Martin in the Waterford goals.
The Town relied a lot on set pieces from Dylan Grimes to launch attacks, but despite some good deliveries into the Blue’s box, they were unable to get the necessary final touch on the ball to make it count.
Waterford almost doubled their lead approaching the break, when they carved the visitors open during a rare raid. However, Prince’s shot rolled the wrong side of the post.
With an hour played the visitors were given a huge boost, when Waterford captain Kyle Ferguson was dismissed on a straight red card, for what appeared to be a swinging elbow on a Longford player.
Seconds later they had the ball in the net when a Dylan Grimes free-kick found Joe Gorman, but the centre-back was adjudged to have been offside in the build-up, and Waterford were let off the hook.
Daire Doyle’s men continued to pin the Deisemen in their half for long periods but lacked the cutting edge to make it count.
With nine minutes remaining, they produced their closest chance to a goal. This was a long-range daisy-cutter from substitute Sam Verdon, which was cleared off the line by Darragh Power.
Waterford were able to push forward in the latter stages, and almost sealed a win when Katlego Mashigo charged down a clearance, and the ball grazed the outside of the post.
But the Blues were able to hold on to claim all three points.
Timeline
| 23. Prince Mustwunguma | 9' | |
| 23. Prince Mustwunguma | 23' | |
| Katlego Mashigo | 51' | |
| 51' | 33. Joe Gorman | |
| 56' | Rob Manley Aaron Dobbs | |
| 56' | Rob Manley Callum Thompson | |
| 6. Kyle Ferguson | 59' | |
| James Waite Katlego Mashigo | 65' | |
| Prince Mustwunguma Josh Collins | 69' | |
| 76' | Aaron O'Driscoll Sam Verdon | |
| Paul Martin | 81' | |
| 89' | 6. Aaron Robinson |
Past Meetings
4 - 6eLOI Group C
Online Event Longford Town v Waterford |
Ground
| Regional Sports Centre |
|---|
| Waterford Regional Sports Centre, Inner Ring Road, Kilbarry, Waterford, County Waterford, Munster, X91 KT29, Ireland |
Full time here and Waterford have held on for a much-needed win that sends them up to 8th in the table on six points, one point clear of Longford who drop down to ninth.
Mashigo chases down the Longford defender and his block nearly cannons into the back of the net
There'll be five minutes of added time for Longford to try to claim an equaliser
Aaron Robinson gets a yellow card for a heavy challenge on John Martin
A push in the back on Waterford's John Martin earns The Blues some respite.
Yellow card to Martin for time wasting.
A Callum Thompson cross falls to Verdon whose dairy cutter of a cross is cleared off the line by the Waterford defence. Longford are getting closer...
Another free-kick from Grimes is headed on but as Paul Martin comes to claim it he is caught by the onrushing Aaron Dobbs. Let's hope it's not serious.
Longford roll the dice as Aaron O Driscoll is replaced for Sam Verdon
Longford roll the dice as Aaron O Driscoll is replaced for Sam Verdon
Longford roll the dice as Aaron O Driscoll is replaced for Sam Verdon
O' Keefe over hits a back pass and it spurts out for a corner to Longford, but Dylan Grimes delivery flies over everyone and goes harmlessly wide on the far side.
Josh Collins comes on to replace Prince.
Josh Collins comes on to replace Prince.
Despite enjoying more possession Longford haven't been able to work Paul Martin in the Waterford goal.
A short corner from Longford comes to nothing.
Substitute for Waterford as Katlego Mashigo replaces James Waite
Substitute for Waterford as Katlego Mashigo replaces James Waite
Longford's collective tails are up and the ball is in the net from the ensuing free-kick but it's ruled out for offside.
A big blow for Waterford as Kyle Ferguson is dismissed for an apparent elbow on a Longford player.
Aaron Dobbs replaces Rob Manley for Longford.
Aaron Dobbs replaces Rob Manley for Longford.
Callum Thompson is the man to come on.
Paul Martin comes a long way to punch a Dylan Grimes free-kick to safety.
The referee gives two yellow cards for jostling in the box.
A corner to Waterford from Jamie Mascoll coming up.
Half time here. Although Longford are behind they will definitely feel they can get something from this, but they'll have to be careful not to slip further behind as almost happened there on the stroke of half time.
Prince should have doubled his tally there! Waterford carve the Longford defence open there but the Englishman's shot trickles wide of Mick Kelly's post.
Longford string about 20 passes together in the Waterford half but the Blue's have everyone back and are able to snuff it out.
Waterford break quickly after a Longford free-kick, but Prince's final ball to Sobowale is a poor one and is cut out by the visitor's defence.
Despite falling behind Longford are the better side here and are constantly peppering the Waterford box with good deliveries.
A brilliant cross from Grimes which O Driscoll get's a head to but it's deflected over for a corner to the visitors
Chambers goes down under a challenge from Cameron Evans on the edge of the Waterford box, free kick to Longford which Grimes will take.
A good corner from Dylan Grimes beats everyone to trickle harmlessly wide.
A yellow card for Prince, apparently for booting the ball away after the referee had blown the whistle, the Waterford management won't be happy with that one.
The ball pings around the Longford box before eventually being cleared by O'Driscoll.
O' Driscoll gets his head to it but can't turn it goalward.
A foul on Bolger halfway inside the Waterford half gives Longford a chance to get a delivery into the Waterford box.
Rob Manley beats the Waterford offside trap but Paul Martin is quick off his line to smother the ball.
Prince's first goal for Waterford is a timely one for Kevin Sheedy's side, who have struggled to find the net this season.
Joe Gorman is a bit too casual in possession and Prince nicks it off his toe and bursts clear to finish well past Mick Kelly in the Longford goal.
Waterford are ahead!!
A scrappy opening to this one, exemplified by a free kick to Longford which Joe Gorman drove into the stands.
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