Dramatic finish as local lad Emmanuel James scores last gasp winner for Longford Town against Wexford FC

Longford Town . . . 2   Wexford FC . . . 1

Just when it appeared as if struggling Longford Town had blown a glorious opportunity to collect all three badly needed points, up popped local lad Emmanuel Oluwafemi James to score a dramatic last gasp winner in their battle to get off the bottom of the First Division table.

It was a stunning strike from Emmanuel, a product of local schoolboy club Melview, as he planted the ball into the corner of the Wexford net and the stoppage time goal was no more than the totally committed home side deserved on the strength of their encouraging second half display at Bishopsgate on Saturday night last.

After going so close to breaking the deadlock with three chances in the same attack in the 53rd minute, Longford eventually broke the deadlock when a well worked move ended up with Daragh Murtagh scoring the opening goal.

Dean O’Shea created the chance for Murtagh to hit the target in the 63rd minute but the Town pressed the self-destruct button to gift Wexford the equaliser after a costly mistake was punished by substitute Ryan Kelly for his goal in the 74th minute.

That was the way it remained with time almost up before Emmanuel James weaved his way through in a penetrating run on his way to unleashing a powerful shot past the opposing keeper Paul Martin to earn Longford Town their third win of the season in a big boost for the manager Wayne Groves as his side prepare to face UCD at Belfield on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm). 

Winless in the previous six games after picking up just two points in the away draws against Finn Harps and Athlone, the win over Wexford could not have come at a better time as the loyal home supporters among the smallest attendance (in the region of 300) of the season went home in a very happy mood indeed.

The same could certainly not be said about the dreadful first half spectacle with the best chance created by the visitors as Dean Larkin had a shot saved on the line by Town keeper Harry Halwax with 12 minutes gone on the clock at Bishopsgate.

With the impressive Aaron Doran making a major impact in the midfield sector, Longford were a different proposition in the second half and a Doran free-kick driven into the heart of the Wexford goalmouth brought about a fine double save by the away keeper Martin with Dean George shooting off target in the same attack.

Set up by a piece of quality play by Dean O’Shea down the left wing, up stepped Daragh Murtagh to score for Longford in the 63rd minute but Wexford got back on level terms with Ryan Kelly finding the back of the net in the 74th minute after Luke Wade Slater failed to deal with the danger as his clearance went astray.

The game was apparently drifting to a draw but Emmanuel James sensed the opportunity to settle the issue and his late, late goal was a joy to behold as Longford got back on the winning track.

LONGFORD TOWN: Harry Halwax; Oisin Hand, Andy Spain, Osaze Irhue, Dean O’Shea; Eric Yoro, Emre Topcu; Luke Wade Slater, Aaron Doran, Dean George; Daragh Murtagh.

Subs:- Francis Campbell for George (71 mins); Josh Giurgi for Wade Slater, Emmanuel James for  Murtagh and Pharrell Manuel for Topcu (all in the 82nd minute).

WEXFORD FC: Paul Martin; Ryan Butler, Dean Larkin, Josh Lyons, James Crawford; Darragh Levingston, Zayd Abada, Kaylem Harnett, Mikie Rowe; Calum Flynn, Aaron Dobbs.

Subs:- Darragh Dunne for Butler (half-time); Ryan Kelly for Flynn (53 mins); Mark Imiren for Abada (80 mins). 

Referee: Glen Geraghty.