League Report: Finn Harps 1 - 0 Bohemians

Stuart Connolly reports from Finn Park

Bohemians were the architects of their own defeat on the opening day as a James Finnerty backpass was stolen and finished off by Finn Harps striker Adam Foley in the 37^th minute.

Harps were made to sit back and hold strong in the second half as Bohs forced the issue but it was the hosts who prevailed for the win.

While neither team set the stage alight during the opening 15 minutes, the away side were on top but for all their possession they failed to truly test Mark McGinley in the Harps net.

As the half hour mark approached, the encounter definitely had that opening day feel to it and while the visitors continued to dictate the play, their moves in the final third were lacking.

Bohs main opportunities during the opening half hour came via set-pieces, which the hosts dealt with relative comfort.

With half-time just under ten minutes away, and against the run of play, Harps found the back of the net in one of their ventures forward on the counter.

Putting the Bohs rearguard under pressure, James Finnerty was forced into a backpass to his Keeper but the pass was weak allowing Adam Foley to steal before rounding James Talbot and slotting into the empty net.

A mere two minutes later and it could have been 2-0 via Karl O’Sullivan only for some last ditch defending by Anto Breslin with the former on the verge of pulling the trigger from very close range.

A training ground routine from the visitors nearly drew the game level as half time neared but Rory Feely could only hit the side netting as Harps led at the interval.

The second half started in a similar vein to the first with Keith Long’s side having a majority of the ball. The big difference though, their final third play had improved.

Georgie Kelly forced McGinley into a low saw just five minutes after the restart while the shot stopper also cut out a pass intended for the unmarked Liam Burt in the previous attack.

On the hour Finn Harps had a shout for a spot kick after substitute Ryan Shanley was brought down but the ref was unmoved.

Bohs had a penalty appeal of their own waved away just shy of the 70th minute as the visitors began to throw the kitchen sink at the home defence.

Backs to the wall would be a mild description of the latter stages of the second half as Harps looked like they were backed into a corner, with only brief spells allowing them to breathe and move forward.

The home defence stood solid with the centre back duo of Sadiki and McEleney, hoofing clear constantly to rid their team of any threat.

With stoppage time just announced, Bohs squandered a gilt-edged chance to level proceedings. Anto Breslin whipped the ball in from the left side and Keith Ward was ready and waiting at the back post but sliced his side foot volley wide, much to his disbelief.

Sean Boyd skied a late effort for Harps to put the game to bed but they held strong in the dying embers to start the season with three points.

Finn Harps: Mark McGinley; Kosovar Sadiki, David Webster, Shane McEleney, Ethan Boyle; Ryan Connolly, Barry McNamee (Stephen Folan, 84), Mark Coyle (Will Seymore, 84), Conor Barry (Mark Russell 55); Karl O’Sullivan (Ryan Shanley, 57), Adam Foley (Sean Boyd, 70).

Subs not used: Luke McNicholas, Mark Timlin, Tony McNamee, Tunde Owolabi.

Booked: David Webster (26), Karl O’Sullivan (44), Sean Boyd (81), Ethan Boyle (86).

Bohemians: James Talbot: Anto Breslin, Rory Feely (Andy Lyons, 84), Rob Cornwall, Ciaran Kelly (Keith Ward, 76); Ali Coote (Thomas Oluwa, 65), Liam Burt, Keith Buckley, James Finnerty; Ross Tierney, Georgie Kelly.

Subs not used: Tyreke Wilson, Bastien Hery, Jack Moylan, Stephen McGuinness, Sean Grehan, Dawson Devoy.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

Extratime.com Player of the Match: Rory Feely (Bohemians).