Longford Town are back on top of the SSE Airtricity League First Division after a hard fought 1-0 victory at home to Limerick. Captain Dean Zambra was in reflective mood after getting all three points in what was not a free flowing game. “[The firs
Longford Town are back on top of the SSE Airtricity League First Division after a hard fought 1-0 victory at home to Limerick.
Captain Dean Zambra was in reflective mood after getting all three points in what was not a free flowing game.
“[The first half was] a little bit scrappy. We’re trying to play the right way but it was breaking down a little bit which allowed the counter attack from Limerick. It ended up being a bit of a scrappy game. At half time we just talked about being a little bit better in the second half, knitting the passes together, keeping it for a little bit longer and sustaining a bit more pressure, and I think we done a little bit better in the second half.”
However the Town got off to a terrible start for the second 45 minutes.
“Giving away a penalty, quite quickly into the second half. These things happen in games, we’re trying to press high up the pitch and its just one ball over the top that caught us out. We had two lads on the cover and their player did a good job in getting in between them. We have Lee Steacy to thank for a great save.”
The second half continued with its drama, with the visitors going down to 10 men.
“[Sean McSweeney] kicked through the ball but his stoods are up and I think he’s caught Shane [Elworthy] on the second part of it then. I think he gave the referee a decision to make, they are trying to phase out those kind of tackles now.”
Much has been said about Longford’s discipline at the back so far this season, but they aren’t lighting up the season with goals either. Zambra gave reasons as to maybe why that’s the case.
“We were caught in two minds between whether to keep the ball and pass it or try and penetrate and try and get that second goal. There is a huge amount of quality in the squad, especially in attacking positions. Maybe it’s a little bit that no one has got a run of games in the attack, Hopkins has been doing well but he’s sick this week. Dobbs, Doyle and Verdon were all injured last week and we got a couple of them back this week so maybe its just a case of getting someone a run of games in those positions.”
