Finn Harps (Cup)

[ForzaForth]

Another close game between the two sides, this time shaded by the Harps, in match of few clear-cut chances in Ballybofey tonight. Youths made two changes from the team which started last week with CJ and Deano coming in, and started with Graham, Craig, CJ, Jamie, Jimmy, Eric, Brian, Shane, Crokey, Rocks and with Deano up front. First half had lengthy periods which were devoid of interest. Harps started the better and after two minutes had a header which went just wide. After sic, McCarron had a good effort on target which Graham had to block away. After the half hour, Deano had the Youth's first decent effort when he broke down the left and got away an effort about two foot over. Youths then had a massive chance when Harps lost the ball in their own half and left Deano one on one with Gallagher, but his low effort was blocked away by the keeper's legs leaving the ball running to Shane whose shot on target was blocked on the goal-line by a Harps defender. 0-0 at half-time and poor enough first 45.

[ForzaForth]

Second half was better and I thought Harps upped the tempo for that half. After five, Graham did well to push a Harp's shot round the post for a corner. With ten gone,a free into the Youth's box was trodden on by a defender leaving Cowan with an easy prod home for 1-0 to the home side. A minute later, McNulty picked up a yellow for Harps for a tackle. On 25 minutes, Graham did well to push away a Harp's header from a corner one-handed. With twenty minutes to go, Joey came on for Deano up front. With ten to go, Daryl came on for Crokey who had done well and immediately, the ref gave a peno when a Harp's player went down in the box. McCarron hit it low right to give Graham no chance for 2-1. Shane then got a yellow for a tackle and with five to go, Eric broke the off-side trap to hammer a volley past Gallagher for 2-1. Joey then picked up a yellow and right on the ninety, Glen came on for CJ. Only two minutes of injury time were played and, although Wexford got the ball into Harp's box once or twice, they didn't trouble Gallagher again for 2-1 to Harps. Best for Wexford were Jamie and Crokey while Joey made a difference when he came on. Harp's paid far more attention to Rocks in the air on the left and, as a result, he didn't win as much as last week. 2-1 to Harps at full-time.

[nigel-harps1954]

Decent second half after a very poor first. Not a classic cup tie, but a win for Harps nonetheless.

For any of you interested, MNS were there, highlights will be on Monday night.

Very small crowd of 338.