The main talk on the terraces at a somber Finn Park tonight was about how soon Harps’ new signings could get on the pitch.
Finn Harps 0
Wexford FC 1
The general feeling was that they just can’t get here quick enough after what was, despite a few spells in the first half, another uninspiring performance from the home side.
Harps didn’t really feature in the second half and went down at the hands of an equally drab Wexford FC, who sit four points above them in the standings.
This slender loss was Harps’ ninth of the season and they currently occupy eighth place in the table.
After a goalless first-half in which Harps had the bulk of the few clear chances, Aaron Dobbs netted the only goal of the game shortly after the hour.
The scoreline could have been added to in the aftermath of that opener, but chances went astray for the visitors, while Harps struggled to test Noel Heron in the second-half.
The opening stages of this encounter could have brought about a goal at either end in what was a fast start to the first game after the mid-season break.
Ryan Flood will always back himself from set-piece scenarios and this opportunity inside 90 seconds was low and caused a spill from Noel Heffernan and fortunately for the netminder, his defence cleared before Filip Da Silva could capitalise.
At the other end, Danny Furlong raced clear to bear down on goal before taking it on to his favoured right foot and it required a smart low save from Tim Heimer.
Caoimhin Porter was presented with the next big chance for Harps in the 18th minute after a well timed interception but his shot was perhaps the least favourable of three options with Sean O’Donnell and Da Silva in space to his left.
While the new duo of Scott Wara and Matty Makinson won’t be eligible until the 1st of July, there was a first start for Damian Duffy and he almost marked it with a wonderful strike from distance but this arrowed effort fizzed inches wide of the post.
Harps continued to have the better of the openings in the final third as Flood went close from another free kick and one massive opportunity went astray in the dying seconds of the half, just shortly after Noe Baba had fired right into the grasp of Heffernan.
Da Silva was the architect for the chance in question and his delivery into the area was ready to be taken by O’Donnell but a rushed strike saw the ball flash wide from less than 12 yards out.
Wexford started strongly in the second-half and one substitution had the desired effect just after the hour as the visitors found the first goal.
Mark Hanratty had barely set foot on the pitch and he found himself in the right place inside the box to set up the unmarked Dobbs who neatly curled the opener into the far corner.
A hectic few minutes followed and Harps could have easily found themselves a couple of goals behind. Dobbs returned the favour for Hanratty just 60 seconds after their goal but this strike was expertly saved by the outstretched foot of Heimer.
The German shot stopper was stranded for the next opportunity from the corner as Hugh Douglas headed narrowly wide while Dobbs had the number one beaten just a few minutes later but he could only find the side netting.
Harps had their moments upfront with the hugely impressive Aaron McLaughlin – the club’s youngest ever goalscorer after his strike against Treaty United – and Sean O’Donnell helped to carve openings too.
At times that final ball just wouldn’t fall their way as five minutes of stoppage time presented a chance to throw the kitchen sink at it. Duffy had a goal bound effort blocked over the bar and Heimer was given permission to go forward for one last attempt which fell invitingly to Porter, who sliced his strike as Wexford cleared and the full time whistle sounded.
Finn Harps: Tim Heimer; Caoimhin Porter, Noe Baba, Keith Cowan, Shane McMonagle, Kevin Jordan; Damian Duffy, Daithi McCallion, Ryan Flood; Sean O’Donnell, Filip Da Silva.
Subs: Aaron McLaughlin for Da Silva(57), Max Johnston for Jordan(71), Ellis Farrar for McMonagle(85)
Wexford FC: Noel Heffernan; Reece Webb, Hugh Douglas, Ben Lynch, James Crawford; Brandon McCann, Corban Piper, Kian Corbally, Karl Chambers; Aaron Dobbs, Danny Furlong.
Subs: Mark Hanratty for Furlong and Darragh Levingston for Chambers(both 61), Sean Fitzpatrick(79)
Referee: Paul Norton
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