Finn Harps 4 - 3 Mervue United

Finn Harps registered their first points of the new season after overcoming a dogged Mervue United in an enthralling seven-goal thriller in Ballybofey on Saturday night.

A manic first-half coughed up five goals and one red card as both teams fought for dominance in a game nobody could take their eyes off.

Jason Molloy and Etanda Nkololo cancelled out strikes from Adam Clarke and Kevin McHugh before James Casserly received his marching orders for a last-man foul on the Harps skipper. McHugh then stepped up to slam home his 150th goal for Harps as the hosts went in nursing a one-goal advantage at the break.    

The game, and the points, looked to have been wrapped up when Thomas McMonagle made amends for an earlier mistake with his side’s fourth goal in the early part of the second half.

However, Mervue struck back yet again with Molloy’s second twelve minutes from time as Harps were made to sweat for their first win of the new campaign.

The home side, buoyed on by a generous home support of over 600, roared out of the blocks and put the Mervue back-four under a ton of pressure from the off.

Clarke, who was handed a starting berth after his goal-scoring cameo last week, went close in the opening exchanges and after seeing his shot cleared off the line by full-back Kenny Farrell, McHugh flashed a header wide on the follow-up.

Harps made their early pressure count with a brilliant opener on ten minutes through man of the moment Clarke.

The former Limavady United player came off the bench to score on his debut last week in Limerick and he carried on from where he left off with another majestic strike. The winger was the beneficiary of some good graft from McHugh before turning inside his marker and hammering home an unstoppable low drive into the far corner.

But, despite appearing in complete control, Harps were soon back on level terms following a lapse in concentration by Thomas McMonagle. The centre-half lost his footing on the halfway line, allowing livewire winger Jason Molloy a clear run on goal.

The Mervue wide-man then showed real poise to dummy the backtracking Aaron O'Hagan before sliding under the onrushing Ciaran Gallagher.

Harps went back ahead, though, on twenty-six minutes after McHugh barged his way into the penalty area before being tripped up James Casserly, leaving referee Phil Caschera with little option but to point to the spot and send the Mervue right back off.

McHugh, typically, assumed responsibility before firing beyond Ronan Forde as Harps edged back ahead once more.

However, seven minutes later and Mervue restored parity as Molloy went from goal-scorer to provider.

The winger was afforded too much time on the ball on the right flank and managed to pick out Nkololo, via a flick-on from Alan Murphy, and the Mervue front-man tucked home completely unmarked at the back post.

Nkololo probably should’ve put Mervue ahead after a serious mix-up in defence between O’Hagan and McMonagle, but the striker dragged his shot wide of the post from fifteen yards.

Harps re-established their one-goal lead five minutes before the interval after McHugh combined well with strike partner Blaine Curtis before tucking into the far corner for his landmark 150th club goal, despite the attentions of two would-be defenders.

The home side looked to have gone out of sight when McMonagle bundled the ball home three minutes into the second half following a teasing cross from Stephen O’Donnell, who later limped off with what appeared a hamstring injury.

However, it proved a nervy last ten minutes for the home side after Molloy headed home his second goal of the evening from a delicious in-swinger from Farrell.

Molloy went agonisingly close to bagging a hat-trick but his twenty-five yard free-kick flew the wrong side of Ciaran Gallagher’s right-hand post, while Curtis was guilty of not putting the game to bed after an exquisite cross from Clarke late on.

Mervue, having been defeated by Longford on the opening weekend, will be hoping to get off the mark against Limerick next weekend, while Harps will look to build on their first three points when they travel to Athlone next Friday night.  

Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher; James Doherty, Aaron O’Hagan, Thomas McMonagle, Ciaran Coll; Adam Clarke, Hugh Carlin (Barry O’Mahony, 75), Thomas McBride, Stephen O’Donnell (Ciaran Greene, 58); Kevin McHugh, Blaine Curtis.

Subs not used: Shaun Patton, Shane McGinty, Darragh Healy.

Bookings: Curtis (56), Greene (73).

Mervue United: Ronan Forde; James Casserly, Steven Walsh, Mike Elwood, Kenny Farrell (David Goldbey, 87);  Jason Molloy, Noel Varley, Alan Murphy (Michael McSweeney, 68), Gary Kelly; Ethan Nkololo, Patrick Hoban (Alex Lee, 68).

Subs not used: Brian O’Donoghue, Barry McEntee, Peter Dravins, Michael Collins.  

Bookings: Forde (56), Elwood (71), Walsh (93).

Sendins Off: Casserley (26).

Referee: Phil Caschera.

Attendance: 748.

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Kevin McHugh.