Teen sensation Mark Mbuli secures dramatic win for Finn Harps over Longford Town

Nineteen-year-old Mark Mbuli was the hero for Finn Harps as the Donegal team orchestrated a remarkable turnaround to secure a victory against Longford Town in the inaugural match of the 2024 season in the First Division.
Finn Harps 3 Longford Town 2  

Initially, Longford Town surged ahead with a 2-0 lead within the first 13 minutes, however, they adopted a defensive stance thereafter, allowing Harps to take charge of the game without posing significant threats to Tim Hiemer. 

Chris Lyons swiftly inaugurated the scoring for Longford, capitalising on a cross from Adam Wixted that was parried by Harps' keeper Tim Heimer, heading home from close quarters. He further bolstered his side's advantage in the 13th minute, seizing upon a loose pass from Harps and skillfully finding the bottom corner of the net from approximately 25 yards out. 

Harps' initial opportunity materialised in the 21st minute, as Success Edogun aimed for goal but fired over the crossbar. However, on the 28th minute he successfully reduced the deficit for his team, receiving a pass from Stephen Doherty, evading his marker, and slotting the ball into the net. 

The visitors endeavored to equalise but struggled to truly test Town's goalkeeper, Jack Brady. As stoppage time loomed, Success had an opportunity to shoot but directed the ball straight at the Town netminder. 

On the hour mark, Brady pulled off a remarkable save to deny Harps a leveler, thwarting Tony McNamee's free kick, which fell to Doherty, whose well-executed strike was kept out by Brady.  

Minutes later, Brady showcased his prowess again by preventing Patrick Ferry from securing a second goal for Harps. 

Harps eventually drew level in the 67th minute, as McNamee flicked the ball into Jamie Watson's path, who unleashed a spectacular strike from a distance, deserving recognition for the Donegal side's efforts. 

Both teams intensified their pursuit of the winning goal. In the 80th minute, Brady dived low to his left to divert Chris Lotefa's strike for a corner. 

A miscued clearance from Hiemer in the 83rd minute presented Sam Clarke with an opportunity, but he slipped while taking the shot, sending it over the crossbar. 

Harps secured the decisive goal in the 90th minute, with Success seemingly in an offside position as he received the ball, before delivering a cross to Mark Mbuli, who made no mistake in finding the back of the net as Harps leave Longford Town with three points in the bag. 

Longford Town: Brady; Elworthy, Egan, O’Shea, O’Connor; Wade Slater (Boudiaf 76), Hery (Chambers 84), Serdeniuk, Wixted; Lyons, George (Clarke 76). 

Finn Harps: Heimer; Watson, Baba, Mackinson, McGonagle; McLaughlin (Mbuli 21), Cawley, Doherty (Lotefa 70), McNamee, Ferry (Hutchinson 70); Edogun. 

Referee: D Carolan (Louth)