Finn Harps 1 – 0 Wexford FC
Sean O’Donnell was the match winner on Friday night as Finn Harps saw off Wexford FC in the first game of their weekend double header.
In the right place to convert his second of the season, O’Donnell netted the only goal of the game with a little under twenty minutes gone as Harps became just the second side this season to stop Wexford FC from finding the net, as Benjamin Lynch missed an absolute sitter on the half hour. Harps now sit in fourth with 30 points on the board after the second phase of matches.
Finn Harps v Wexford FC. North West Newspix
Darren Murphy implemented three changes to his lineup and welcomed the newlywed Tony McNamee back into the starting eleven. David Cawley and Matthew Makinson also returned to the team as Finn Harps wore their special edition kit, designed in conjunction with the Bluestack Foundation, which reflected the sensory room at their headquarters.
In the sunshine, Finn Harps got off to a fast start, and Tony McNamee had an early volley blocked, while an effort from Max Johnston lacked the power to test Owen Mason. After a quarter of an hour, Harps elevated their threat to another level, and it helped them find the lead. Sean O’Donnell had flashed an effort towards goal, but it was calmly taken away from goal by Sean McHale and out for a throw-in on the right side. Tony McNamee floated the ball in, and it fell invitingly for O’Donnell at the back post as the Cardonagh man netted his second of the campaign.
North West Newspix
Wexford FC, who had former Harps captain Ethan Boyle in their ranks, came into this fixture level on points with Harps and were unbeaten in their last seven fixtures away from Ferrycarrig Park. With just under half an hour gone, Aaron Dobbs flicked a header onto the tip of the crossbar, and what followed a few minutes later left everyone in a state of disbelief, none more so than Benjamin Lynch. With Harps on the retreat, Reece Webb played a low ball across the six-yard box, and from point-blank range, Lynch somehow sliced his effort wide of the mark.
Harps ended the half on the front foot as McNamee and O’Donnell attempted to repeat their earlier exploits; this opportunity, though, was deflected wide. Success Edogun had the last chance of the half, but his goalbound shot was thwarted by Cian O’Malley.
Finn Harps v Wexford FC. North West Newspix
Into the second half, Harps almost doubled their lead with ten minutes gone, but Jamie Watson’s header directed towards the bottom corner was expertly caught by Mason. At the other end, Dobbs and Thomas Oluwa went close, with the latter’s shot saved by Conor Walsh after the hour. The opening created for Dobbs was headed off target from close range. James Keddy’s side have only failed to score in one game this season, but on the other side of the coin, they’ve only kept one clean sheet.
Wexford pushed late on to keep their record intact, but only an effort from Dobbs held any momentum and it was caught well by Walsh.
Finn Harps: Conor Walsh; Jamie Watson, Matthew Makinson, Noe Baba, Luke O’Brien; Stephen Doherty, David Cawley, Tony McNamee; Success Edogun(Patrick Ferry 90), Max Johnston, Sean O’Donnell.
Wexford FC: Owen Mason; Carl Lennox(Mark Hanratty ht), Sean McHale, Cian O’Malley, Benjamin Lynch, Ethan Boyle; Brandon McCann(Kaylem Hartnett ht), Reece Webb(Darragh Levingston 73), Aaron Dobbs; Mikie Rowe(Cian Curtis 82), Thomas Oluwa.
Referee: Aaron O’Dowd
