Friendly Report: UCD 4 - 2 Finn Harps

UCD secured their first pre-season victory of 2016 when Collie O’Neill's side defeated Finn Harps 4-2 on a rain soaked pitch behind the UCD Bowl on Saturday afternoon.

After three consecutive 2-0 defeats to Shamrock Rovers, Galway United and Dundalk FC, the Students couldn’t have started any worse in this game finding themselves behind with just 90 seconds on the clock. Sean Houston latched onto a half cleared corner and his low drive across goal beat the UCD ‘keeper Conor O’Donnell.

Trailing 1-0 down early, UCD attempted to hit back quickly but George Kelly’s headed effort was easily cleared. With less than a quarter of an hour gone, Kelly did equalise for UCD when he fired home from the edge of the box after Harps gifted UCD possession deep inside their own half.

The sides then exchanged opportunities. First Adam Hanlon fired wide from a quick counter-attack before Kieran Marty Waters free-kick from 25 yards sailed just over Richard Brush’s crossbar.

With little over half-an-hour played, Harps had a great opportunity to retake the lead when Liam Flatley forced O’Donnell into a low save before Raymond Foy fired the rebound over.

Minutes later, squandering a great opportunity of their own, Harps found themselves behind after Waters skipped down the by-line before he was brought down in the box. Gary O’Neil made no mistake from the penalty spot.

With momentum on the Students’ side after O’Neil's spot kick, they soon added a third when Kelly grabbed his second after a low cross from Sean Coyne picked out the sliding attacker who made no mistake from close range.

On the stroke of half-time, Harps’ Ryan Curran had an opportunity to pull a goal back for his side, but he found an inspired O’Donnell in his way with the goalkeeper getting down low to deny the forward.

In a second-half both sides make several alterations, using their squads to the fullest. It was the visitors who were first to strike in the second period when Houston scored his second of the game. He picked up possession deep inside the UCD half before skipping past several defenders, firing low past Niall Corbet in the Students’ goal.

After getting themselves back into the game, both Hanlon and Ryan McHugh had opportunities for the visitors, however, neither Harps player could trouble the UCD goal.

As the game approached the final ten minutes BJ Banda, the hero for Harps when they defeated Limerick in the Promotion/Relegation playoff, thought he had scored but his effort from the edge of the box went the wrong side of the UCD goal.

Moments later, a corner from Darragh Black was not cleared by Finn Harps and after a goalmouth scramble the Student’s could only fire wide.

With seven minutes remaining, UCD secured victory when Samir Belhout scored from outside the box, after he latched onto a loose ball before curling his effort past Ciaran Gallagher.

UCD AFC: Conor O’Donnell (Niall Corbet 46); Daniel Tobin (Liam Scales 45), Adam Harney, Maxi Kouogun (Darragh Black 46), Sean Coyne (Josh Collins 46); Cathal Brady (Robert Manley 46, Dylan Watts (Jack Watson 46), Gary O’Neil (Darragh Corcoran 46), Kieran Marty Waters (Gareth Coughlan 46); George Kelly (Sean Byrne 46), Daire O’Connor (Samir Belhout 46).

Subs Not Used: Ryan Swan.

Booked: None.

Finn Harps: Richard Brush (Ciaran Gallagher 46); Damien McNulty (Ethan Boyle 39), Packie Mailey, Ryan McConnell, Matthew Crossan (Thomas McMonagle 77); Liam Flatley (Michael Funston 46), Gareth Harkin (Tony McNamee 46), Raymond Foy, Adam Hanlon (BJ Banda 65); Ryan Curran (Kevin McHugh 59), Sean Houston.

Subs Not Used: Ciaran Coll, Gareth Doherty.

Booked: Raymond Foy (29), Matthew Crossan (61), BJ Banda (80)

Attendance: 70 (estimate)

Extratime Man of the Match: George Kelly (UCD AFC)

You can see a selection of photos, as taken by Peter Fitzpatrick, from the game by clicking here.