After last week’s 4-1 win over the Mayo League in the League Cup, Finn Harps make the long journey south to the RSC to face Waterford United in the opening game of the Airtricity League First Division season on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).
Harps Manager, Peter Hutton, was delighted to get the season off to a winning start last Sunday with that victory in Castlebar.
“The Mayo game was exactly as I suspected, a difficult encounter in which they were well organised defensively and looked to exploit us on the counter attack as well as being a physically big team who were a threat from set pieces,” said Hutton of the victory.
Hutton though, was disappointed with the state of the pitch.
“I was very disappointed at the very poor playing surface as I was led to believe that this particular pitch was always extremely well looked after. However, on this occasion it had no work done to it and divets and loose sods were left unattended from a game which was played on it in midweek. All in all it made it a fairly difficult encounter but one I was sure if we kept our composure and concentration we would progress and was delighted we did so.”
“Thankfully, we got our noses in front and then went on to win it quite comfortably but I was very disappointed about conceding a very sloppy goal. The players need to learn that irrespective of the score line their focus and concentration levels must remain high over the duration of the entire game and never assume the game is over as a contest.”
The Harps boss, happy to have scored four goals, was also delighted to see the goals coming from four different players.
“That’s always an encouraging sign when goals are scored from various players throughout the team,” he said. “The game itself was a cagey affair in which we had to be patient and retain possession then exploit the advantage of the extra man when their keeper was sent off. The goals scored were all well taken and will certainly help the confidence of those particular players but all in all it was a good win but with room for improvement.”
Harps couldn’t really have asked for a more difficult opening day fixture, with the fixtures computer throwing up a five-hundred mile round trip against one of the favourites for the First Division title. The RSC hasn’t always been the best of venues for Finn Harps team, but the three most recent visits to Waterford have seen Harps return home unbeaten.
“It is going to be a difficult encounter but one the players should relish,” said Hutton of the trip south. “Waterford, along with Longford Town will be most people’s title favourites given their resources and the additions they’ve made but we’ve done reasonably well down there in recent games so we should have no fear going there. I hope the pitch is in as good a shape as last season, although I’ve since learned that may not be the case but either way, we are certainly looking forward to the game and the commencement of the season,” he said.
“It’s not vital, but it will certainly help get the season up and running on a positive footing,” said Hutton when asked if he felt Friday’s game was one that they must get something from.
“The first day fixtures in any league campaign can produce some strange results for a variety of reasons, new players settling in, players not 100% match fit, managers trying new systems or even new teams entering the league so it will be intriguing. However, a better time to assess the start will be after the first series of games and then we will have a greater idea of where we’re at.”
Hutton will welcome Keith Cowan back into the squad after he missed last week’s League Cup game through suspension. However, James Doherty serves a one-match ban this week, while Kevin McHugh is a doubt. Ciaran Coll remains out.
“Kevin McHugh has been struggling with a calf problem and came off early against Mayo so he will be assessed throughout the week,” said Hutton. “Ciaran Coll undergoes his operation this week and will be out for up to 8 weeks, which is a huge blow to him personally and the team but we have players eager to come in and do well.”
Hutton also said that some of those with long-term injuries are almost ready to return.
“We have the three long-term injuries of last season making steady progress – Stevie O’Donnell, Hugh Carlin and Blain Curtis – but all three need games and are probably a few weeks away yet. Gareth Breslin has a groin injury and has been told to rest for two weeks to help it settle and Gary Merritt has returned to full training with the squad but again now needs games and match fitness to step up his recovery.”
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TEAM NEWS
Suspended: James Doherty (1 Match).
Doubtful: Kevin McHugh (calf).
Injured: Ciaran Coll (cartilage tear).
Form Guide (last six league games)
Finn Harps: D-W-D-L-L-W (8 pts)
Waterford United: W-W-W-W-L-W (15 pts)
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Last six away games against Waterford United
23-Apr-2010 – Waterford United 2-0 Finn Harps (First Division)
09-Oct-2010 – Waterford United 3-1 Finn Harps (First Division)
25-Mar-2011 – Waterford United 1-0 Finn Harps (First Division)
09-Sep-2011 – Waterford United 0-0 Finn Harps (First Division)
31-Mar-2012 – Waterford United 0-2 Finn Harps (First Division)
27-Jul-2012 – Waterford United 1-1 Finn Harps (First Division)
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Finn Harps Goalscorers 2013
Thomas McBride – 1 (in League Cup)
Matt Harkin – 1 (in League Cup)
James Doherty – 1 (in League Cup)
Marc Brolly – 1 (in League Cup)
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Finn Harps Results 2013 (Harps goalscorers in brackets)
03-Mar-2013 – LC – Mayo League 1-4 Finn Harps (Harkin, Doherty, Brolly, McBride)
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