Finn Harps

[ForzaForth]

Wexford will be pleased with a share of the points in Ferrycarrig tonight after showing the spirit to come back from a goal down against Harps in a competitive game. Damian Locke started with what looked like an adventurous formation with four attackers and started with Kealan, Conor, Owen, sean Kelly, Liam, Shane, Crokey, Dean Kelly, Dean George, Danny and Aaron. Wexford started the better and put some early pressure on the Harps goal with Gallagher having to save early on at his near post. However, Harps then came into the g ame more and shaded the scoreless first period. On 11 minutes, Devers of Harps had an effort which trickled just past the Wexford post. Then a Harps attacker broke clear – looked offside but nothing given - and hit the frame of the goal with only Gaffney to beat in the Wexford goal. Gaffney then had to push a long-range Harps effort over the bar for a Harps corner and, from that corner, Keith Cowan had a slow looping header which had to be nodded away off the Wexford goal-line by Conor Sutton. Wexford at this stage were finding it hard to clear any ball away from their own box. However, Wexford ended the half with two efforts on the Harps goal when Dean George had a shot which Gallagher saved at the expense of a corner and from the corner Thomas Croke just headed wide of the far post. 0-0 at half-time after a reasonable half.

[ForzaForth]

Second half wasn’t as good but contained the two goals. Nothing of note occurred during the first twenty minutes or so but then Harps nearly scored off a good move but Gaffney was just able to scramble back to grab the ball before it crossed the goal-line. Two minutes later, Harps were awarded what looked like a soft peno when Owen McCormack had his hands on the back of a Harps attacker who didn’t even go over. Paddy McCourt finished with ease from the spot and Harps were 1-0 ahead. Harps then had a good chance ruined by an offside flag. Subs at this stage for Wexford were Mark Slater and Owen Wall. Just as you couldn’t see an equaliser for Wexford a misplaced defensive header fell centrally for Crokey who smacked a delicious volley on target. Gallagher pushed it out and Dean Kelly was on hands to knock home the rebound for 1-1 apiece. Harps played some of their best football after conceding the equaliser but Wexford managed to stay firm with Gaffney doing well to block a Harps attacker on one occasion just before the final whistle. Another late sub for Wexford was Ryan Nolan and game finished soon after at 1-1. Best for Wexford were Aaron Dobbs who had to go off injured, Gaffney in goal, Crokey in midfield and the defensive centre of Sean Kelly and Owen McCormack while Mark Slater impressed during his cameo part. For Harps, Paddy McCourt was the class player, far more two-footed than I ever thought, with Todd and Coll mopping up in defence. Maybe 120 at the game.