Finn Harps -v- Salthill Devon
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Finn Harps host Salthill Devon this Saturday evening looking to extend their unbeaten run of form to four matches, kick-off in Ballybofey, Finn Park is at 8pm.
For Harps’ boss Peter Hutton, the side’s recent upturn in results is pleasing to see, but is under no illusion that a lot of work needs to still be done if his side are to continue their good form, especially against a Salthill side battling to avoid finishing bottom of the First Division. “We’ll try and carry on the same vein of form we’ve been enjoying. We haven’t been playing great by any stretch, but we’ve been particularly solid and not conceding too many goals. They will come up quietly confident of getting a result, but the onus is on us as the home side to set the tempo and take the game to them.”
The catalyst to the optimism and confidence that Harps have recently re-discovered has come thanks to their battling performances in 0-0 draws with top five sides Monaghan United and Waterford United. This has been illustrated in the good form of their defence which has claimed five clean sheets in the Harps’ last six games. Hutton, himself one of the most successful defenders in the country, admits to being pleased with the defensive side of things, but still demands more from his side going forward.
“Defensively, we’ve been doing quite well, but we’d definitely like to be more creative going forward. It’s an area that needs addressing. We need to look at taking the right options in the final third and increase our ‘goals for’ column. But the reason our defence has tightened up is because it hasn’t just been a back-four effort. And for us to improve on our goals-scored record it will take an equal team effort going forward. We’ll look for our defenders and midfielders to chip in with some goals too, particularly from set-pieces. It’s not just down to our attackers.”
Salthill meanwhile will be hoping to end their three game losing run, and at least a repeat of their 0-0 draw against Harps in Ballybofey back in April, however Harps’ 4-0 victory in Drom in June, thanks to two goals from Kevin McHugh will mean Salthill boss Paul McGee will keep things tight from the outset. McGee will have to cope without the services of Paul Smyth following his dismissal in the latter stages of their 3-1 defeat at home to Waterford United last week.
Finn Harps
Injured: Peter Hutton (hamstring).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Gareth Harkin, Blain Curtis, Packie Mailey.
Salthill Devon
Injured: Unavailable
Doubtful: Unavailable
Suspended: Paul Smith.
Referee:.Darren Coombes
Paddy Power Odds: Finn Harps 2/9; Draw 9/2; Salthill Devon 9/1.
Extratime.ie Prediction: Harps to have too much for Salthill, 4-0.
