Finn Harps leave it late as they land all three points against Wexford

Finn Harps 2-1 Wexford
You don’t travel from Donegal to Wexford on a Friday night unless you’re sure the field is playable, but after this morning’s pitch inspection, the thumbs up was given to Finn Harps for them to make the long journey to the south-east to play in front of 637 people at Ferrycarrig Park. 

It’s an even sweeter journey when you get all three points. 

Darren Murphy’s side were looking to learn from last week’s mistakes when they fell to Cobh Ramblers after a dour first half of football that never fully saw them control the match. 

From the off, Harps were first on the attack and could’ve taken an early lead when Success Edogun nearly found the net from a long throw only for Ethan Boyle to clear the ball out for a corner.  

And while they started better this week, they were unfortunate to be 1-0 down after only 12 minutes when they were caught sleeping on the job after a short corner made its way to the feet of Mikie Rowe who swung the ball across the box for Cian O’Malley to nail home at the back post for his second goal of the season. 

Harps were lucky not to have conceded moments before that when a chip over the top of their defence found the dynamic Aaron Dobbs who placed it to the unmarked Rowe to strike for goal, only for the winger to hit the post. 

The away side had their backs to the wall for the majority of the first half as Wexford started to dominate following the opening goal with the Leinster side really troubling Harps with dangerous corners on the right-hand side. 

Rowe, who was superb in the opening half, nearly landed Wexford’s second on the half-hour mark when he burst down the left wing. With the ball at his feet, he cut through the defence on the inside which gave him the space to strike off his right on the edge of the box only for the ball to fly to the right of the net.  

Harps’ only real chance in the first half since going behind was when Tony McNamee combined with Jamie Watson to float a superb ball into Conor Tourish but his header flashed to the left and wide. 

The introduction of Patrick Ferry at half-time proved a smooth move when a long ball over the top of the Wexford defence to Ferry allowed him to slide the ball under Owen Mason to level matters as Harps entered a purple patch. 

Harps were much the better side in the second half as they played fluid football out from the back, while also pressing the opposition when out of possession. 

Harps kept their standards high despite bodies tiring as they fought for a winner, but the away team, just like Wexford, failed to create any real clear-cut chances despite holding the majority of possession and remaining rock solid at the back. 

And while it never looked either team were going to land a winner, it was Murphy’s side who nailed the winner on the 88th minute when David Cawley struck his first goal for the club inside the box after his shot was deflected low into the corner of the net to break the deadlock and seal all three points. 

Finn Harps: Tim-Oliver Hiemer; Jamie Watson, Noe Baba, Matty Makinson, Conor Tourish;  Mark Mbuli (Max Hutchison HT), Luke O’Brien (Shane McMonagle 69), Tony McNamee (Sean O’Donnell 82), David Cawley, Stephen Doherty (Patrick Ferry HT); Success Edogun. 

Wexford: Owen Mason; Reece Webb, Ben Lynch, Cian O’Malley, Mark Hanratty; Aaron Robinson (Thomas Oluwa 59), Ethan Boyle, Kian Corbally, Darragh Levingston (Luka Lovic 73), Michael Rowe, Aaron Dobbs.