- Aisling Hannon
- Sat, Apr 22 2023
Finn Harps climbed to sixth place in the table after a late own goal secured them a 1-0 win over Wexford at Ferrycarrig Park on Friday.
The win moved them two points clear of their opponents and edges them closer to a play-off spot following two wins on the bounce.
Dave Rogers named an unchanged starting XI from last weekend’s 2-0 win over Treaty United, their first three points at Finn Park this season.
James Keddy made one change to his Wexford side who claimed a 2-1 victory over Longford last week – Aaron Doran coming in for Darragh Levingston at the back.
Again, defender Ethan Boyle slid into a more attacking position in the midfield after a noticeable adjustment to the formation last week in Bishopsgate appeared to work in Wexford’s favour.
It was the home side who were the more dominant in the first-half, with Reece Webb instrumental in working the ball along the wing and around the defence.
Mark Hanratty had a close chance on the 20-minute-mark when his long, low shot skimmed just past the post. His speed and vision was vital to Wexford as they pushed to take the lead.
Filip Da Silva was the more energetic of the away side and put James Crawford under pressure on the wing, but Wexford were sharp in their possession and holding play, leaving Harps with little to work with throughout the half.
Aaron Dobbs was on his own up front, as Keddy opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, but was unable to hit the net with several close chances from set-pieces.
It was Harps who came out on the front foot in the second-half and Da Silva was straight in with a lunge towards goal, but Hugh Douglas produced an excellent tackle to stop the Brazilian in his tracks.
Dobbs came close again, getting his head to a Kian Corbally free kick, but goalkeeper Tim-Oliver Hiemer stretched superbly to make the save.
Caoimhin Porter, who came on as a substitute late in the first-half for an injured Kevin Jordan, proved his quality on the wing and was outstanding in creating chances and dispossessing the home side.
Skipper Boyle had high spirits throughout the game and looked eager to score against his former side. The Wexford native put the visitors under pressure with a long, low shot with ten minutes to go, but Hiemer was able to get his hands to it just in time.
Harps managed to find the net with five minutes left on the clock when substitute Sean O’Donnell whipped in a fantastic high cross from the left and unfortunately for Wexford, the ball bounced in off Crawford, who had been excellent for the home side all night.
Keddy tried a more attacking option in the dying stages by bringing on Danny Furlong for his 250th Wexford appearance, the forward immediately in on the action for the set pieces but unable to find the net.
Despite the all-out attack for the remainder of the game, Wexford could not break through the steady Harps defence and slipped down to seventh in the table as a result.
Harps will welcome a struggling Longford side to Finn Park next week in a bid to make it three wins in a row, while Wexford travel to Athlone who also lie two points ahead of them in the table.
Wexford: Charlie Heffernan; Ethan Boyle, Hugh Douglas (Karl Chambers 83), Ben Lynch, Reece Webb; Kian Corbally (Danny Furlong 88), James Crawford, Aaron Doran (Conor Levingston 66), Mark Hanratty, Corban Piper; Aaron Dobbs.
Subs not used: Colm Cox, Matthew Dunne, Jordan Tallon, Darragh Levingston, Jordan Adeyemo, Brandon McCann.
Booked: Conor Levingston (89).
Finn Harps: Tim Oliver Hiemer; Noe Baba, Ellis Farrar, Shane McMonagle; Ryan Flood, Michael Harris (Katlego Mashigo 64), Kevin Jordan (Caoimhin Porter 39), Seamas Keogh, Ryan Rainey; Filip da Silva, Daniel Okwute (Sean O'Donnell 78).
Subs not used: Oisin Farrell, Brendan McLaughlin, Damian Duffy, Shaunie Bradley.
Booked: Noe Baba (14).
Referee: Declan Toland
Attendance: 572
extratime.com Player of the Match: Filip da Silva (Finn Harps)
