It’s half-time at Finn Park and Finn Harps are upsetting the odds and are leading 2-1 against Waterford United.
Ollie Horgan’s side is without a number of key players due to suspension and injury.
Among those missing are Keith Cowan, Rafa Cretaro, Ciaran Gallagher, Sam Todd, Gareth Harkin, Mark Timlin, Harry Ashcroft, Mark Coyle and Caolan McAleer.
Horgan has drafted in a number of younger faces into his starting line-up including Liam Walsh and Michael Gallagher.
The home side was caught cold with the visitors going ahead after just four minutes.
A quick exchange of passes in midfield resulted in Aaron Drinan put through leaving him free to hammer the ball into the roof of the net.
Harps suffered another setback just two minutes later when young Michael Gallagher was forced to retire after he picked up an injury to be replaced by Colm Deasy.
Horgan’s side worked hard to find an opening to get back into the game and were rewarded on 24 minutes.
Mikey Plaice was fouled on the edge of the area and he punished United with a brilliant free-kick which nestled in the top corner of Matt Conner’s goal despite the goalkeeper getting a hand to it.
Waterford had a great chance to go ahead on 30 minutes when Bastien Hery flashed wide of Peter Burke’s goal from 25 yards with the Harps ‘keeper struggling to reach it.
But just five minutes later there was another goal and it put the home side ahead.
Colm Deasy did well down the right and sent in a cross only for a Waterford defender to raise a hand leaving referee Pat McLaughlin with no choice but to point to the penalty spot.
Mikey Place grabbed him and Harps a second goal as he made no mistake from the spot.
Harps Sean Boyd could have sealed it for Harps before half-time but his header from six yards sailed over the Harps crossbar.
This patched up Harps side are holding their own and if they can add another goal, the chance of three very valuable points is a real possibility.
Finn Harps: Peter Burke, Daniel O’Reilly, Jacob Borg, Mark Russell, Mikey Place, Michael Gallagher, Sean Boyd, Liam Walsh, Tony McNamee, John Kavan and Niall Logue. Subs: Mark McGinley (GK), Colm Deasy, Nathan Boyle, Ryan Finn, Stephen Doherty, Joel Bradley Walsh and Jack Doherty.
Waterford Utd: Matt Connor, Rory Feely, Shane Duggan, Karolis Chvedukas, JJ Lunney, Aaron Drinan, Cory Galvin, Damien Delaney, Georgie Poynton, Bastien Hery, Ishmahil Aklnade.
Subs: Hugo Keto (GK), Maxum Kougun, Scott Twine, Zack Elboudezi, John Martin, Aaron Simpson and Shane Griffin.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin.