- Stuart Connolly
- Sat, Mar 11 2023
Finn Harps' search for a first win of the campaign goes on after a scoreless draw at home to Wexford FC.
In a game of few chances, Ryan Rainey went closest for the hosts while a Hugh Douglas effort was the best opportunity from a Wexford perspective.
The result leaves Harps with two points from their four matches while Wexford sit on four points.
Dave Rogers made one change to his side that drew with Bray Wanderers last time out as Cian Lynch replaced the injured Keith Cowan.
James Keddy had no need to change a winning formula and stuck with the same starting lineup that won their last outing against Athlone Town.
Seamas Keogh had the first attempt at goal but he could only direct his free kick over the bar after five minutes. Just over ten minutes later, Wexford enjoyed a spell in the attacking third but couldn't capitalise on a succession of corners as Aaron Dobbs and Aaron Robinson both hit efforts over the bar.
Wexford enjoyed another spell of control around the half hour mark but chances at both ends continued to float off target. Mark Hanratty fired wide for the visitors while Cian Lynch rushed his shot from inside the box at the other end.
Hugh Douglas went the closest to the first goal as he got on the end of a corner but Tim Heimer got down well to parry the strike.
Goalless at the break, Finn Harps started the better in the second half and they went close to the opener less than ten minutes in as Filip Da Silva looped a header narrowly wide.
That was the only clear cut chance up to the hour mark as Wexford were dealt an injury blow of their own as Kian Corbally was forced off. Harps' Okwuy Okwute was the other injured party shortly after the half hour.
With a little over 20 minutes to go, Rainey went close for Harps with a long range strike, it had Heffernan scrambling but it fizzed beyond the base of the post.
Aaron Dobbs could have gone just as close for the visitors a few moments later only for a wall of Harps players to block his shot.
Wexford were dealt another injury blow as the game approached its final ten minutes as Aaron Robinson was stretchered off.
Seven minutes were added on at the end due to that injury but neither chance could muster up that golden touch to snatch the three points as Noe Baba's late strike sailed high over the bar.
Finn Harps: Tim Heimer; Caoimhin Porter, Daithi McCallion, Ellis Farrar, Ryan Flood; Ryan Rainey, Noe Baba, Seamas Keogh(Katlego Mashigo 78); Michael Harris(Kevin Jordan 78), Okwuy Okwute(Filip Da Silva 33), Cian Lynch(Sean O'Donnell 63).
Subs not used: Oisin Farrell(GK), Brendan McLaughlin, Damian Duffy, Jamie McKinney, Sean O'Kane.
Booked: None
Wexford FC: Noel Heffernan; Reece Webb, Hugh Douglas, Ethan Boyle; James Crawford, Mark Hanratty(Kian Corbally ht, Jordan Adeyemo 59), Conor Levingston, Aaron Robinson(Darragh Levingston 85); Brandon McCann, Karl Chambers(Aaron Doran 55), Aaron Dobbs.
Subs not used: Colm Cox(GK), Benjamin Lynch, Matthew Dunne, Danny Furlong.
Booked: Boyle(43), Keddy(69)
Referee: Declan Toland
ExtraTime.ie Player of the Match: Daithi McCallion(Finn Harps)
