Hutton happy to get off the mark
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Finn Harps manager Peter Hutton was satisfied to see his side earn their first win of the season and put to an end a run of three successive defeats since he took over from James Gallagher earlier this month.
Harps had gone into the game against Athlone Town without so much as a win in their 12 outings in all competitions this term and Hutton and director of football Felix Healy had seen their side lose to Wexford Youths, Mervue United and Limerick FC.
However, Kevin McHugh’s gifted winner on Thursday night against Athlone and only a second clean sheet of the campaign did bring something of a spring in the step of the former Derry City captain. The win lifts Harps two places to eighth in the Airtricity League First Division ahead of Monday’s visit to Roddy Collin’s Monaghan United.
“I suppose it was one of those clichéd games of two halves when you look back at it,” Hutton said afterwards. “We played well in the opening half and had plenty of the ball although Athlone seemed happy to let us do that, but they came into the game more in the second half and we’re glad to have held on to get the three points.
“But when we came in here we realised that we had a big job on our hands and that remains the case but it’s nice to get off the mark and the lads deserved their victory tonight. They are a very young group of players and maybe the confidence was a bit down after the start to the season they had but they dug in there and deserve credit for that.”
Hutton, who has lined up for Cliftonville in the Irish League this term, will sign for the Ballybofey club as a player once the international transfer windows opens in June, noted that he and Healy are keeping a constant eye on players with a view to adding some substance to their playing squad.
“Yeah, we’ve been having a look at a few things here and there are likely to bring in a couple of new faces when the chance arrives. There is talent in the squad here but we will be looking to add a bit of experience to the camp and hopefully keep the club moving in the right direction but the mood is a bit better after that result.”
Harps had gone into the game against Athlone Town without so much as a win in their 12 outings in all competitions this term and Hutton and director of football Felix Healy had seen their side lose to Wexford Youths, Mervue United and Limerick FC.
However, Kevin McHugh’s gifted winner on Thursday night against Athlone and only a second clean sheet of the campaign did bring something of a spring in the step of the former Derry City captain. The win lifts Harps two places to eighth in the Airtricity League First Division ahead of Monday’s visit to Roddy Collin’s Monaghan United.
“I suppose it was one of those clichéd games of two halves when you look back at it,” Hutton said afterwards. “We played well in the opening half and had plenty of the ball although Athlone seemed happy to let us do that, but they came into the game more in the second half and we’re glad to have held on to get the three points.
“But when we came in here we realised that we had a big job on our hands and that remains the case but it’s nice to get off the mark and the lads deserved their victory tonight. They are a very young group of players and maybe the confidence was a bit down after the start to the season they had but they dug in there and deserve credit for that.”
Hutton, who has lined up for Cliftonville in the Irish League this term, will sign for the Ballybofey club as a player once the international transfer windows opens in June, noted that he and Healy are keeping a constant eye on players with a view to adding some substance to their playing squad.
“Yeah, we’ve been having a look at a few things here and there are likely to bring in a couple of new faces when the chance arrives. There is talent in the squad here but we will be looking to add a bit of experience to the camp and hopefully keep the club moving in the right direction but the mood is a bit better after that result.”
