Harps Rue Missed Chances as Cobh Draw at Finn Park Finn Harps…………1 Cobh Ramblers…….1 Chris Mc Nulty was at Finn Park
Finn Harps are still searching for their first home win in the league this term following this draw with Cobh Ramblers at Finn Park on Saturday night. Following a disappointing start to the new campaign, player-boss Anthony Gorman opted to ring in the changes and made no less than three alterations to his starting line up. The suspended Jonathan Minnock was replaced at left-back by David Bell, while James Gallagher and Eloka Asokhu came in for Gavin Cullen and Shaun Mc Gowan respectively. The decision to switch goalkeepers was most surprising, especially when one considers that Cullen is the club captain. "Gavin has been carrying a knock this last couple of weeks, and had been affecting his kicking. It's an injury that needs rest. While Gavin is disappointed, there were a lot of factors to be taken into consideration and it's not just the way the team has been playing" he explained. It was the home side who began the brighter in front of what was probably the lowest crowd of the season at the Finn-side stadium. The sparse attendance was given reason for concern after 25 minutes, when after enjoying the better of the early possession, they fell behind. A free kick from the far touchline was played to the edge of the Harps '18' where it was me by Darren Murphy who fired home past James Gallagher to give the Southerners the advantage and stun Finn Park into silence. Curran, Breen and Funston all had chances to draw Harps level, but it wasn't to be and they would go in at the break a goal down. On 55 minutes, Harps got back on level terms. The lively Chris Breen made ground and weaved his way inside the box, where he was brought down by Kevin Murray and the referee had no hesitation in awarding the penalty. On Monday night Michael Funston had missed a spot kick for Harps, while against Galway United both Matthew Crossan and Chris Breen failed to hit the target. In the continuing absence of Conor Gethins, experienced centre-back Shane Bradley stepped up to convert the spot kick and level proceedings. After this, Harps set out in a mission to take victory, and they had their chances to win it. Barry Curran fired wastefully wide on 70 minutes with the goal gaping at his mercy. Chris Breen let fly from distance with a stinging strike, which rebounded back off the crossbar to the feet of Curran who put the follow up wide. Harps, in fact, had the ball in the second on a second occasion. An indirect free kick was smashed home by the player-boss, but referee Neil Doyle ordered the kick to be re-taken as he said he had not signalled for it to be taken. Gorman however believed otherwise. "I think we should have got the advantage, because the referee did actually blow his whistle. He (the referee) said to wait for the whistle but everyone heard it blowing. "I think he was probably blowing for the wall to stay ten yards back. But, once he blows the whistle we played it very quickly and scored the goal. I think he should have given us the advantage and let the goal stand" he lamented. Despite all their forays forward in the closing stages, Harps couldn't break down the Cobh defence a second time and the home support were again left cursing their luck. They now look forward to a showdown with early pace-setters Shamrock Rovers at Finn Park this coming Saturday night. Finn Harps: James Gallagher; Eloka Asokhu; David Bell; Marc Mokendi; Shane Bradley; Michael Funston; Barry Curran; Stephen O Donnell; Chris Breen; Davitt Walsh; Anthony Gorman. Cobh Ramblers: James Mc Carthy; Alan Carey; John Meade; Kevin Murray; David Breen; Michael Mulcrony; David O Neill; Darren Murphy; Steve Yelverton; Willie Bruton; David Warren. Subs: Packie Holden (Murphy); Robert Brosnan (Yelverton). Referee: Neil Doyle
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