Harps Still in the Cup After Terryland Recovery

June 16, 2007

Report from www.galwayunitedfc.ie

United squandered a two goal lead to Finn Harps in a very lacklustre performance. Galway failed to carry the momentum of their league form over to the Cup and produced a pretty uninspiring Cup performance. United took a two goal lead into the interval courtesy of another Derek Glynn brace, but a lack of concentration in the second period cost United dearly.

United race into the lead in only the third minute after a long Philip Reilly ball picked out Glynn. The United hitman rounded Gallagher and rolled the ball home from an acute angle. Glynn nearly turned provider in the 8th minute when he pulled back from the endline for Stephen O'Flynn but his fellow striker failed to make contact in front of goal.

Colm James broke from midfield in the 14th minute but powered his shot wide of the left post.

United went two up on 31 minutes. A hopeful ball over the top by Reilly fell to Glynn. The inform striker outpaced Eloka Asokuh and hit a left footed shot past Gallagher's outstretched left hand.

Harps nearly hit back seconds later when Barry Curran found himself free on the left but failed to keep his shot on target.

There was another warning for United in the 38th minute when Conor Gethins cut in from the right and had his close range shot blocked on the near post. James reacted fastest and cleared the danger in front of his own goal.

A high ball into the United box in the 40th minute fell to Stephen Parkhouse. The striker controlled the ball and spun but Rogers pulled off a super save to his left.

United went close in the 55th minute following a low Reilly corner from the left. The ball came to Derek O'Brien whose low shot was gathered by Gallagher. Two minutes later United went even closer to wrapping up the tie. A Reilly corner from the right was crashed off the upright by Wes Charles.

Rogers pulled off another excellent save from Parkhouse in the 59th minute. Shaun Holmes swung over a deep cross that Parkhouse blasted towards goal but Rogers managed to get a hand to the strikers shot.

Harps were back in the game in the 73rd minute. Rogers hauled down Tony Shields in the box and Mark Gough quite correctly pointed straight to the spot. Gethins stood up and made no mistake from the spot.

A nervous looking United went close to calming their nerves following an Alan Murphy free that Gallagher plucked out of the air on 79 minutes. 

United's inconsistent home form surfaced again late on. Shaun Roddy swung in a cross from the right that Shields headed goal wards but Rogers brilliantly turned his effort around the post. From the resultant corner Parkhouse headed in off the crossbar to force a replay in Finn Park on Monday evening.

Galway United: Rogers, Nooitmeer, Charles, McKenna, Reilly, O'Brien, James (Foley, 64), Murphy, Russell, Glynn (Cooke, 86), O'Flynn (Moran, 71).

Goals: Glynn (3 & 31)

Bookings: Reilly, Russell, Foley

Finn Harps: Gallagher, Minnock, Boyle, Asokuh (Roddy, h/t), Holmes, O'Loughlin (Brolly, 64 (Brown,70), Shields, McGowan, Curran, Gethins, Parkhouse

Goals: Gethins (73, pen), Parkhouse (86)

Bookings: Holmes, Shields, Minnock, Boyle

Referee: Mark Gough 

Attd: 1,020