Main pic: Scott Wara in action against Athlone Town tonight. Pic NorthWest NewsPix.
After a fantastic performance against runaway league leaders Galway Utd on Friday night at Finn Park, Dave Rogers’ charges went to Athlone tonight with their tails high.
Athlone Town 4
Finn Harps – 1
However, they never got going and went a goal down as early as the sixth minute after Noah van Geenen netted. Things got worse in the 22nd minute after Scott Wara was unfortunate to turn the ball into his own net past the helpless Antoio Tuta.
The best Harps could manage on the night was another fantastic BJ Banda header to the back of the net in the 24t minute following a dangerous cross into the square by Jamie Watson. That brought it back to 2-1, however, the home stretched their lead a short-time later when Valeri Dolia struck to leave it 3-1. And before Harps could get in for the half-time breather, Dolia netted again to leave it 4-1.
Harps had a mountain to climb in the second half and matters got even worse ten minutes from the end when Dan Stokoe was shown a straight red for a high challenge.
Harps must now dust themselves down and hope to get back to winning ways against Treaty Utd, who are just two points behind them, at Finn Park on Friday night.
