Longford Town secured a 4:2 victory over Bray Wanderers in the first division's regular season round 28 on 22 August 2026. The result lifts the hosts to 41 points while the visitors remain on 43 after 29 games. It was a match where three clear moments decided the outcome, not the possession figures or shot counts.
And here's the thing about the opening exchanges — A. Doran gave Longford the lead in the seventh minute, but E. Mustali responded for Bray just ten minutes later. T. McCarthy restored the home advantage at 31 minutes, and J. Bailey doubled it before the break. Doran added his second in the 55th minute to put Longford in control.
By then Bray had already shown they would not go quietly. Mustali pulled one back in the 87th minute, but the damage was done. The visitors managed six shots on target against five for the hosts, yet could only convert two of their chances. Longford were more clinical when it mattered.
The statistics tell a story of fairly even play. Both teams registered 58 attacks and similar goal kick counts. Bray earned nine corners to four, while Longford won 16 free kicks against 13. The yellow card count was heavier on the visiting side with four to two, and Bray saw J. B. Sesay and B. McCormack booked in the first half alone.
Substitutions came thick and fast in the second half. Bray brought on R. Ferizaj and later lost T. Sammy, while Longford shuffled their attack with Doran, Bailey and Adenekan all coming off. The game had enough movement to keep things open, but Longford held their nerve when the pressure came.
The result keeps Bray in third place, two points ahead of fourth-placed Longford. Both sides have ten defeats in 29 games, though the visitors have one more win. It was a result that ended Longford's recent struggles — they had lost their previous outing 4:0 to Bohemians — and showed they could still compete at this level.