Friday 13th disaster for Harps April 13, 2007
Second half goals from Paul Malone and Conor Sinnott - from a penalty awarded for a foul that saw Gavin Cullen red carded - earned Wexford their first ever away win in the eircom League, with Harps' only response coming from a late effort by John O'Loughlin who, himself, could have won the match for Harps, but for some misfortune in front of goal. Paul Hegarty made just one change from the side that had drawn with Limerick 37 last week with Gavin Cullen coming in to replace James Gallagher between the posts for his first league start in 12 months. However, the Buncrana man's stay in the goalmouth was to prove a relatively short one as he was red carded after giving away the spot-kick that led to the second Wexford goal. The Buncrana-based custodian had a let-off seventeen minutes into Friday's contest when he failed to deal with a backpass but, thankfully for him, Conor Sinnott's cross-come-shot was just wide of the mark. Cullen was also fortunate not to have been beaten by a deflected shot from Paul Malone on the half-hour mark that was just over the crossbar. At the other end, chances were few and far between in the first period. John O'Loughlin saw his effort from outside the box saved by Shane Dunphy while Conor Gethins failed to get a strong enough touch on Tony Shields' neat ball into the danger zone. In the closing minute of the half, O'Loughlin somehow shot over the crossbar from point-blank range after good approach play down the right flank by Barry Curran and Tony Shields. O'Loughlin's ill luck continued on the restart when he shot wide after being played in by Parkhouse and the missed opportunities proved costly when the visitors got their noses in front as the clock approached the hour mark. Conor Sinnott floated in a dangerous free kick from the stand side and Paul Malone rose highest in the box to head past Cullen and stun the sparse Finn Park attendance - little over 500 patrons went through the turnstiles on Friday night - into silence. Their night was to get worse though. With 20minutes remaining, Gavin Cullen failed to deal with Declan Boyle's backpass and Liam O'Loughlin nipped in to disposses the hapless custodian. As he bore down on goal, O'Loughlin was tripped up by Cullen, who was promptly dismissed by Hugo Whoriskey and substitute goalkeeper James Gallagher's first task of the day was to retrieve the ball from the back of the net after being beaten by Sinnott's spot-kick. Harps pulled one back late on when John O'Loughlin's deflected effort beat Dunphy, but it was scant consolation for the Harps faithful who have witnessed their side collect just six points from a possible 18. Two away games follow with Kildare County visited this week before
Hegarty takes his men to Athlone town the following week. Needless to
say, victory is required on both occasions.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
