Finn Harps

[ForzaForth]

Some clinical finishing by Danny Furlong proved to be the difference in a comfortable win by the home side over a depleted Harps XI in Ferrycarrig tonight. With Peter Higgins injured, Shane Nolan came in at right back and the Youths started with Graham, Shane, Gary, Lasty, Killian, Eric, Duxey, Craig, Rocks and with Deano and Danny up front. Harps started with some neat passing and got a few crosses in early on, but with McCarron looking isolated up front, nothing came of them. First chance for the Youths came after 12 minutes when the tall Gary Delaney had a free header from a free-kick, but he miscued with Patton in the Harps goal looking stranded. On six minutes, the Youths were awarded a peno when Danny blasted a shot off Mailey's hand who was standing about a foot away. Mailey got a yellow and Danny sent Patton the wrong way for 1-0 to the Youths. Looked a harsh decision to me. On 20 minutes, Tiofack for Harps got a shot away but it was straight at Graham. With 24 gone, McCarron showed some fancy footwork to beat a couple of Youths defenders but didn't finish well by stabbing his effort wide. A minute later, Danny was able to round Patton and knock the ball goalwards, but O'Callaghan saved the certain goal by clearing and colliding with the post. After some attention, he was able to continue. With ten to go in the first period, Rocks got a yellow for a tackle on Mailey. Three minutes later, a neat one-two between Danny and Deano put the latter clear, but his shot cannoned off the crossbar with Patton beaten. Then, with five to go in the half, a class finish by Danny when Craig put him clear down the right,and running away from goal, he managed to chip Patton with the ball landing just inside the far post for 2-0 to the Youths. With a minute to go in the half, an uneven Harps back four let Danny run in on Patton again, and he made finishing look easy for 3-0 to the home side and game over at half-time.

[ForzaForth]

Second half wasn't great with Harps really only going through the motions and the Youths satisfied with their lead. Ben Ryan came on for Craig at half-time for the Youths. With five minutes gone,Danny had a chance to lob Patton who had advanced but hit it straight at the Harps keeper. With ten gone, McCann hit an effort a yard wide after good work by Loftus - but prior to this, Shane Nolan had kept the Harps youngster very quiet. Then, on 15 minutes, Black should have scored for Harps, when a mistake in the Wexford defence left him with only a defender on the line to beat, but Shane Nolan managed to block the effort on the line and clear. Andy Mulligan and Ryan Delaney then came on for Rocks and Gary Delaney. Danny then had a header which seemed to hit the inside the post and out from a good cross by Deano, and Ben Ryan knocked a free header over. With fifteen to go, Andy hit the post with Patton advancing, but the ball rebounded away. Late cards were then given to McCann for Harps and Mulligan for the Youths for a tackle and the match finished on a 3-0 scoreline for the Youths. Best for Wexford were Danny with his hat-trick and Lasty, Killian and Shane Nolan. For Harps, was very impressed by Black who worked his socks off in midfield and McCarron who worked hard and alone up front, while O'Callaghan and Coll looked the best of the defenders. About 280 at the match.

[bennocelt]

Think you might have a chance in the last game V Galway?

[ForzaForth]

Bennocelt, we need Shelbourne to beat Galway first. It'd make a great last match to head to Galway knowing that a win would get us a play-off spot. Could be a lot of nerves involved if it ends up that way!

[nigel-harps1954]

Cheers for that ForzaForth. Good to get an honest opinion on the match.

[bennocelt]

Bennocelt, we need Shelbourne to beat Galway first. It'd make a great last match to head to Galway knowing that a win would get us a play-off spot. Could be a lot of nerves involved if it ends up that way!

yeah i know, but still I can dream, ha:)