League Report: Finn Harps 0 - 4 Waterford

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Stuart Connolly reports from Finn Park

Keith Long's side travel back to the South-East with another three points in the bag after a comprehensive win over Finn Harps.

Waterford have strengthened their hold on second place in the table while inflicting more pain on a Harps side who sit second from bottom.

Darragh Power opened the scoring midway through the first-half and Cameron Cresswell doubled that lead five minutes into the second-half.

Dean McMenamy bagged a brace with Noe Baba sent off between the two strikes.

Harps created the first opening in this fixture, with Ryan Flood firing narrowly over from close range after just ten minutes.

Killian Cantwell found the back of the net with 20 minutes gone but his celebrations were cut short as Connor Parsons' corner had gone out of play before curling back in and onto the head of the former Finn Harps defender.

Just five minutes later though, Waterford had their goal as Parsons was quick with his free on the right and it allowed Dean McMenamy to play the ball across for Darragh Power to score.

Christie Pattisson almost doubled that lead on the half hour but his goal bound shot was thwarted by Matthew Makinson while at the other end, Harps ended the half strongly. Caoimhin Porter flashed an effort wide from close range and Flood was even closer to an equaliser but he witnessed his drive cannon off the base of the post.

Five minutes into the second-half, Waterford found their second goal with Christie Pattisson the creator. His solo run was difficult to stop and the end result was a short pass to Cameron Cresswell who finished emphatically into the bottom corner.



Just five minutes later, the visitors netted a third thanks to some alert forward players. Rory Kelly threw the ball out to Max Hutchison and the bounce from his first touch allowed Dean McMenamy to pounce before a short run and calm finish in off the post.

On the hour, Harps were reduced to ten men. Noe Baba went in late on Parsons and after a scramble near the dugouts, Mark Houlihan issued the red card.

With a little over 25 minutes to go, Waterford scored their fourth and final goal as Niall O'Keeffe crossed the ball in low from the right and found McMenamy in the centre to finish.

 

Finn Harps: Rory Kelly; Noe Baba, Ryan Flood, Matthew Makinson, Jamie Watson; Stephen Doherty (Billy Banda Jr 66), Max Hutchison, Séamas Keogh (Daniel Stokoe 75), Tony McNamee, Caoimhin Porter (Sean O'Donnell 53); Patrick Ferry.

Subs not used: Antonio Tuta, Kevin Jordan, Damian Duffy, Max Johnston, Sean O'Kane.



Booked: Jamie Watson (19).

Sent off: Noe Baba (60).

 

Waterford: Sam Sargeant; Ryan Burke (Derik Osede 67), Killian Cantwell (Ronan Mansfield 77), Giles Phillips, Darragh Power (Serge Atakayi-Mantata 77); Cameron Cresswell, Roland Idowu, Dean McMenamy, Niall O'Keeffe (Samuel Perry 76); Connor Parsons, Christie Pattisson.

Subs not used: Paul Martin, Harvey Warren, Andrew Macdonald Baker, Shane Griffin, Anthony Adenopo.

Booked: Ryan Burke (62), Samuel Perry (90).

 

Referee: Mark Houlihan.

Attendance: 849.

extratime.com Player of the Match: Dean McMenamy (Waterford).

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