Finn Harps fall to defeat at Wexford Youths

Finn Harps suffered another defeat on the road after falling to a 2-0 defeat against Wexford FC at Ferrycarrig Park.

In a contest where chances in front of goal were at a premium, strikes from Thomas Oluwa and Darragh Levingston secured the three points for the Wexford men.

The opening quarter of this encounter was evenly poised between the two mid-table outfits, with both sides having their fair share of possession inside the opponent's final third without threatening the goal.

The first serious chance fell to the hosts. The ball was played into the path of Darragh Levingston who shot from the edge of the box however, his effort was deflected just wide of the post.

The second half of the first stanza remained finely balanced, with both teams relying primarily on set pieces to create an opening.

It looked like we would be heading in level at the interval but the Ferrycarrig Park residents had different ideas, breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time.

Luka Lovic played a well-weighted through ball into the path of Thomas Oluwa and the Wexford FC frontman slotted it past Tim Heimer at the near post to leave James Keddy’s men a goal to the good at the break.

The home side began the second half on the front foot and had a couple of chances to extend their lead. On 57 minutes, Kian Corbally played a quick one-two with Mikey Rowe before firing a low-driven cross into the square but no one could get on the end of it.

Two minutes later, Darragh Levingston directed a great cross to Mikey Rowe however, his headed effort went just over Tim Heimer’s crossbar.

The Wexford men again came close to doubling their advantage on 73 minutes. The lively Mikey Rowe stepped up to take a free-kick from 25 yards and only the post stopped him from finding the back of the net.

Darren Murphy made five changes in the closing quarter of the contest in search of the all-important equaliser but there was no joy as the three points for Wexford were sealed in the 90th minute.

A cross-field ball from Mikey Rowe found the path of right-back Darragh Levingston at the far post who drilled the ball low into the bottom corner to mark a night to forget for the Ballybofey men who will have to regroup ahead of a trip to the capital to face UCD in two weeks time.

Finn Harps: Tim Heimer; Jamie Watson, Conor Tourish, Matty Mackinson, Noe Baba (Aaron McLaughlin, 84), Luke O’Brien; David Cawley (Gavin McAteer, 84), Max Hutchinson (Ryan Rainey 70), Tony McNamee (Bruce Strachan, 70); Success Edogun, Sean Patton (Patrick Ferry, 70).
Wexford FC: Conor Walsh; Darragh Levingston, Cian O’Malley (Kaylem Harnett, 90), Lewis Temple, Divin Ismala; Mikie Rowe, Luka Lovic, Ethan Boyle, Kian Corbally, James Crawford; Thomas Oluwa (Cian Curtis, 90).