Finn Harps (FAI Cup)

[ForzaForth]

Despite the late dramatics, deserved win by Harps in Ferrycarrig tonight particularly after a poor first half by the Youths, who didn't seem fully committed to the game. Wexford started with Graham, Craig McCabe, Killian, Lasty, Ryan, Craig Short, Peter, Duxey, Eric and with Danny and Ben up front. First half was dominated by Harps as Wexford's shape with full-backs everywhere meant that they could create little. After ten, McHugh had a free just outside the box but hit it a yard over. With 14 gone, Cowan picked up a yellow for a tackle. A minute later, Harps nearly scored from a corner when a far post header was nearly steered home but a Youths defender managed to clear it off the line. McCarron had a difficult free header from another Harps corner but steered it wide and Coll miscued a difficult chance a few yards wide. Then, on 23 minutes, a Harps corner found McMonagle in loads of space and he planted his header home for 1-0 to the away side. Nothing really occurred for the remainder of a poor half with Wexford lacking any penetration, particularly out wide, and with two forwards, Danny and Ben being cleaned out by taller defenders when the ball was hit long. 1-0 to Harps at half-time.

[ForzaForth]

Wexford had a better second half mainly by increasing the tempo and with Harps conceding space by leaving only McCarron up front. After 6 minutes, a long throw by Craig McCabe fell to Danny and Winn had to push away his first-time effort for a corner. A minute later, Craig Short picked up a yellow for a tackle. McNulty then picked up a yellow for attempting to block Graham from clearing the ball quickly down the pitch. MIdway through the half, Deano and Shane Nolan came on for Ben and Craig McCabe and Funston came on for Harps. Two minutes after coming on, Funston dispossessed Ryan who had unwisely tried to beat him as the last defender, and he knocked the ball past Graham for 2-0. With ten to go, Ryan headed over from a Youth's free.Harps had been trying to wind the clock down at every opportunity and when McNulty knocked the ball away rather than take a throw, the ref. gave him a second yellow to bring Harps down to ten. Harp's McCann then got another yellow and with five to go, abad back-header in the Harp's defence fell to Deano who bundled the ball home for 2-1. Youths tried to get an equaliser but the nearest they came were a header from Eric which flashed wide and a volley from Killian in the five minutes of injury time. Not the greatest of matches but Harps generally seemed to be more up for it than the Youths.

[ForzaForth]

Best for Wexford were Eric and Duxey, but the match showed Wexford's lack of options going forward. Thought Deano, who looked lively, could have come on earlier while McHugh showed all his experience up front for Harps and McCarron also did well. 2-1 to Harps at full-time with about 350 at the match.