Finn Harps 2 – 0 Cobh Ramblers
Finn Harps reignited their play off hopes tonight after a much needed win against Cobh Ramblers, who are also in the mix for a spot in the top five.
Goalless at the interval, Patrick Ferry opened the scoring shortly after the hour mark, while Jamie Watson found the net during the final ten minutes.
Harps are still six points shy of the playoffs after results elsewhere in the league.
Darren Murphy implemented three changes after Harps’ last outing, and it was one of those who had the first pop at goal inside 120 seconds. David Cawley set up Max Johnston down the left, but his effort floated over the bar.
In the three previous encounters with Gary Hunt’s side, Finn Harps failed to find the back of the net, and early chances in this one came close to ending that unwanted statistic.
With 20 minutes gone, Tony McNamee’s precise pass through the defence was latched onto by Success Edogun, but his shot aimed for the near post was routine for Darragh Burke.
Just a few minutes later, McNamee had an effort, but the goalbound strike was blocked by Brendan Frahill.
With 30 minutes on the clock, Burke’s evening appeared to be over after a clash with Johnston, and it was at the point where Arthur Nganou was ready to go, but the netminder continued and was sporting a bandage around his head; he was then substituted at halftime.
Finn Harps vs Cobh Ramblers – North West Newspix
Cobh began to find their rhythm after the delay as Matthew McKevitt headed wide from close range while Kevin Jordan, who replaced the injured Conor Tourish, cleared another attempt off the line.
Deep into stoppage at the end of the first half, Oisin Cooney ensured the score stayed level after a fast break from Cobh. Phillips’ pass forward was picked up by McKevitt, and his low shot was palmed away by the teenage goalkeeper.
Less than ten minutes into the second half, Patrick Ferry had an effort at point-blank range blocked, while the follow-up from Johnston skimmed across the turf and rolled wide.
Just beyond the hour, Finn Harps scored their first goal against Cobh this season. A headed flick on from McNamee landed at the feet of Edogun, who played in Ferry, and his first touch took him between the two centre-backs before a calm finish into the bottom left corner.
Chances went astray after that much needed opener, which was a fourth of the season for Ferry.
In the final stages of the game, and with just shy of ten minutes left, Finn Harps doubled their lead.
A scramble in the box wasn’t dealt with by the visiting defence, and a prod towards goal by Johnston was bundled over the line by Jamie Watson.
Sean Patton had an attempt in the dying seconds of the encounter, but dragged his shot wide.
Finn Harps: Oisin Cooney; Jamie Watson, Conor Tourish(Kevin Jordan 20), Matthew Makinson, Noe Baba; Max Hutchison, David Cawley(Gavin McAteer 89), Tony McNamee, Patrick Ferry(Sean Patton 76), Success Edogun(Aaron McLaughlin 89); Max Johnston
Cobh Ramblers: Darragh Burke(Arthur Nganou ht); Cian Browne, Brendan Frahill, Nolan Evers(Charlie O’Brien 81), Luka Le Bervet(Dean Larkin 70), Tiernan O’Brien(Beineon O’Brien Whitmarsh 85), Jack Larkin, Dale Holland(David Bosnjak 81), Pierce Phillips; Regix Madika, Matthew McKevitt.
Referee: Daryl Carolan