Harps edged out in friendly

July 22, 2007

Finn Harps…….0

St Johnstone…..1

Report by Chris McNulty

Photos by Declan Doherty

A 72nd minute goal from on-loan striker John Stewart was enough for Scottish First Division side St Johnstone to beat Finn Harps in a friendly fixture at Finn Park last night.

In a game of few chances that was played at a typical friendly tempo, Stewart converted from close range after Paul Sheerin saw his volley come back off Gavin Cullen's post.

While it came in the middle of an already congested fixture list, this was a useful work out for Harps with manager Paul Hegarty using the game to try out a few things with no less than seven changes made from the side that had beaten Shelbourne on Friday night.

\Into the starting eleven came Gavin Cullen, Sean Roddy, John O'Loughlin, Neil Lloyd, Seamus Brown, Marc Brolly and new signing Paddy McLaughlin made his first start in Harps colours.

Later in the game, Hegarty sent on young Alan Gethins - brother of Conor - for his first taste of senior soccer. Having impressed for the Under 21s recently, the youngster was rewarded by being drafted into the squad last night.

More of the promising young crop of Sean ‘Wizard' McGowan got runs out in the second half - James Doherty, Johnny Havlin and Barry Tourish all coming on as substitutes for the concluding ten minutes.

St Johnstone manager Owen Coyle was also experimenting as he included trialist Ben Webster at right back for the second game in a row. The former Newcastle defender was replaced after 65minutes.

The Scottish side were playing the second game of their Irish tour last night having overcame Irish League side Coleraine 4-1 on Friday night. Their line-up showed just two alterations from that game with David Weatherstone and Andrew Jackson included from the start.

It took sometime for this game to come to life with the first chance of note coming on the half-hour mark when Kevin James headed narrowly wide from a good position while Gavin Cullen was then forced into action.

The Harps custodian denied David Weatherstone after he surged forward into the Harps box. He forced his way into a good position, but he was thwarted in his endeavours by the legs of Cullen.

The closest Harps came in part one was when John O'Loughlin tried his luck from 25yards. The Buncrana man was just off the target however.

After Stewart netted on 72, the McDiarmaid Park outfit came close to doubling their tally, but Sheerin pulled his shot wide of the mark.

The closest Harps came to pulling level was when Seamus Brown's shot from outside the box was deflected into the arms of Alan Main while young Barry Tourish was off target with an effort from 20yards.

More pressing matters await Harps on Saturday night next when they make the long journey south to take on second-placed Cobh Ramblers.

Harps closed the First Division's front runners over the weekend. After beating Shelbourne on Friday night, Harps were further boosted with Saturday night's results that saw both Dundalk and Cobh held to scoreless draws.

The Donegal side are now eleven points adrift of leaders Dundalk and they have a game in hand. The gap to third-placed Limerick 37 is still five points with the Shannonsiders beating Athlone four-one on Friday night.

Meanwhile, St Johnstone complete their series of friendlies when they take on Ballymena United in the Showgrounds this evening.

Finn Harps: Gavin Cullen; Sean Roddy, Jonathan Minnock, Shaun Holmes, Paddy McLaughlin; John O'Loughlin, Neil Lloyd, Shaun McGowan, Marc Brolly; Seamus Brown, Declan Divin. Subs: Conor Gethins (for Brolly, 65mins); Alan Gethins (for O'Loughlin, 65mins); Barry Tourish (for Divin, 80mins); James Doherty (for Roddy, 80mins); Johnny Havlin (for Minnock, 80mins); John O'Loughlin (for Lloyd, 87mins).

St Johnstone: Alan Main; Ben Webster, Goran Stanic, Allan McManus, Derek McInnes; Kevin James, David Weatherstone, Martin Hardie, Paul Sheerin; Andrew Jackson, John Stewart. Subs: Stephen Doris (for Hardie, 60mins); Stephen Anderson (for Webster, 65mins); James McCluskey (for James, 75mins); Owen Coyle (for Stewart, 79mins).

Referee: Hugo Whoriskey