Finn Harps

After an eventful match in Ferrycarrig tonight, the home side will be the happier with the share of the points as the Youths put in a decent first half but were poor for long periods in the second as they conceded enough chances for the Harps to take control of the tie. Wexford made one change in midfield with Brian coming in and started with Graham in goal, a back four of Clarkey, Jamie, CJ and Corkey, Shane in front of a midfield of Joey, Brian, Crokey and Rocks and with Danny up front. First ten minutes were quiet enough but then Wexford created two chances when Clarkey got free down the right and picked out Joey with a low cross inside the box. However, Gallagher in the Harps goal was able to get down to save Joey's shot on the turn. A short throw-out by Gallagher from this was lost by Harps inside their own half and this then lead to Rocks heading just over. Harps then went ahead with their first real attack of the match when Wexford gave the ball away in their own half and it eventually found its way to McHugh whose first-time flick put Harkin away and he put the ball between Graham's legs for 1-0 to the away side.

On fifteen, Shane got a yellow for a tackle and, two later, Rocks was able to meet a Wexford corner from the right free inside the Harps box but his first-time left foot effort flew just wide. Then on eighteen, Harps gave away a free-kick for obstruction on the left-hand side and Jamie met the resulting dead-ball with a near-post header for 1-1. Game then petered out towards half-time with Wexford looking quicker round the pitch but sloppy in their passing and Harps that bit slower but with better passing ability. However, with ten to go, Wexford claimed for a peno when Danny was put through and blocked by a last-ditch tackle with the ball possibly hitting the tackler's hand as he fell on the ground and then looked just afterwards for another one as Shane appeared to be impeded at the far post when trying to make contact with a good cross. However, nothing was given in either case with the first 45 ending at 1-1.

Like the first half, the first ten of the second period was pretty ordinary with neither side able to create much but with the home side's passing becoming even poorer. Then, somewhat out of the blue, Harps went ahead again with a piece of sublime finishing by McHugh who drifted out to the right about 30 out to collect the ball and then looked up and chipped a lovely dink towards the other post to give Graham absolutely no chance for 2-1 to the away side. The Youths followed this with another fifteen minutes of woeful play and coughed up two one-on-ones to Harps' forwards. However, one was put wide nd the other was saved by Graham with his legs for the match to remain at 1-2. Half-way through the second period, Tom Elmes came on for Shane Nolan and then Rocks picked up a yellow for a tackle. Almost on the half-hour, McBride came on for Funston for Harps. Then, on the 30 minute mark, Wexford finally managed to string something together with an attack down the right which drew the Harp's keeper and the ball was slipped inside to Joey who had an easy finish for 2-2. The ref. then flashed a yellow apiece due to problems caused in trying to get the ball back to the half-way. Deano came for the Youths at this stage and Harps nearly scored again when their forward tried to lift the ball over the advancing Graham in the Youth's goal but couldn't keep in on target. With five to go, Danny then had a chance to grab all three points when a nod-on by Rocks put him clear but his first-time left-footed shot went narrowly wide.

Harps looked slightly the more threatening for the last five plus injury-time but no major chances occurred with the game finishing at 2-2 and final substitutions of Glenn for the Youths and Clarke for Harps. Best for Wexford on a Jekyll and Hyde night were probably Corkey and Joey but their passing and ball-retention during the second period were way below par. Maybe 220 at the match including season tickets.