- Stuart Connolly
- Sat, Jul 15 2023
Finn Harps edged a seven goal thriller at Finn Park in a match where chances fell as often as the rain.
Wilson Waweru gave Cobh an early lead as Ryan Flood hit Harps level. The same pattern happened again with Flood finding the net from the spot as the sides went into the break level.
Patrick Ferry put the hosts in front as Mikie Rowe hit back for the visitors and Sean O'Donnell netted the winner in a game that could have easily ended with another three or four goals added to the scoreline.
The result ends a run of five without defeat for Cobh Ramblers who remain third while it is Harps' first win in four games.
Cobh Ramblers were the first to strike just nine minutes into the game as Wilson Waweru headed home from close range, getting on the end of a Cian Browne cross.
Harps had a few opportunities go astray in the minutes that followed but they found their leveller with 20 minutes gone as Ryan Flood lashed home from the edge of the area after a short corner from Tony McNamee.
Waweru was on the scoresheet again five minutes later with an exquisite back heel flick at the near post. It was a goal similar to Evan Ferguson's strike for Brighton & Hove Albion against AFC Bournemouth in April.
That lead for Cobh was quickly extinguished as Harps found the back of the net courtesy of a spot kick. Brendan Frahill was penalised for a trip on Sean O'Donnell in the area and Flood stepped up and made no mistake from 12 yards out.
That was to be the last of the goalmouth action for the first-half but the spectators didn't have to wait long for the action to resume when the second-half started as Harps took the lead for the first time.
Tony McNamee played in Sean O'Donnell who had his shot saved by Lee Steacy but he palmed it into the path of Patrick Ferry who struck from close range.
In the moments before and after the hour, both sides had opportunities to add to the scoreline but Scott Wara and Waweru were ideally placed to prevent the opposition.
Waweru was involved at the other end a few minutes later, holding up the ball well before a short pass into Mikie Rowe who curled a low effort into the bottom left corner for a goal on his debut.
With just shy of 20 minutes to go, the hosts bagged the games seventh goal.
Max Hutchison fizzed in a low cross from the right and with Steacy failing to get a proper handle on the ball, Sean O'Donnell pounced to prod home the winner.
Chances did continue to pop up but Harps held on for a dramatic win and only their second on home soil this season.
Finn Harps: Tim Heimer; Daithi McCallion, Matty Makinson, Max Hutchison(Caoimhin Porter 78), Semi Scott Wara; Stephen Doherty, Tony McNamee(Noe Baba 90), Jamie Watson, Ryan Flood; Sean O'Donnell, Patrick Ferry(BJ Banda 70)
Subs not used: Oisin Cooney, Keith Cowan, Noe Baba, Dan Stokoe, Shane McMonagle, Damian Duffy, Aaron McLaughlin.
Booked: Ferry(33), Hutchison(76), Banda(79)
Cobh Ramblers: Lee Steacy; Michael McCarthy, Brendan Frahill, Charlie Lyons(Luke Desmond 87); Cian Browne, Pierce Phillips(Matthew McKevitt 88), Dale Holland, Dean Larkin(Alec Byrne 77), Liam Kervick(Luke Casey 77); Wilson Waweru, Mikie Rowe.
Subs not used: Darragh Burke, Justin Eguaibor, David Bosnjak, Charlie O'Brien, Issa Kargbo.
Booked: Lyons(84), Rowe(88), Browne(90)
Referee: Alan Patchell
ExtraTime.ie Player of the Match: Ryan Flood(Finn Harps)
