Reserves Draw With Buncrana Hearts

August 27, 2006

FINN HARPS RESERVES 1

BUNCRANA HEARTS 1.

 

The Harps Reserves and Buncrana both earned their first point of the new campaign when they shared the spoils at Finn Park on Sunday.

Both sides will be disappointed that they didn't claim all 3 points as they were guilty of missing gilt edged opportunities in a very open game.

Harps started brightly but the first chance fell to Hearts when Matthew Cutliffe shot narrowly over the crossbar after 6 minutes. Harps did have an effort minutes later but Colm McGonagle blazed over from outside the box.

Both sides exchanged further chances before Oisin McMenamin's close range shot was brilliantly tipped away by Matthew McGee after 25 minutes.

Four minutes later Harps took the lead following a fine passage of play. Gary Crossan played a neat ball in behind the Hearts defence where Art O'Connor crossed for Johnny Gallagher to strike home from 4 yards.

Harps were now on top but Buncrana scored against the run of play 2 minutes before half-time. A build up from the back found Sean Michael Bouger-Hayes with room to run at the Harps defenders and place a neat finish beyond the advancing Michael McKelvey.

The contest continued fairly balanced in the second half and both sides had numerous chances.

Firstly Gary Crossan had a shot well saved by Matthew McGee. Then Matthew Cutliffe should have scored when he raced past the Harps defence only to shoot narrowly wide.

Gerard Halpin hit the post on 65 minutes after some good work from Hayes. At the other end Johnny Gallagher should have scored a second goal after good work from Gary Whoriskey.

The game changed on 76 minutes when Tony O'Loughlin was sent off for a challenge on Harps senior goalkeeper Gavin Cullen who had come on as an outfield second half substitute as part of his injury recovery. Two minutes later Cullen brought out a magnificent save from McGee, who fingertipped out for a corner. McGee again came to the rescue from the resulting kick when he tipped over a Gary Crossan volley from 12 yards. Hearts has a last gasp effort from Cuttliffe which went wide and both sides had to be content with a draw from the fixture.

Best for Harps Reserves was Oisin McMenamin and Matthew McGee shone in nets for the visitors.  Referee: Dave Wogan

Finn Harps: Michael McKelvey; Cathal Sharkey, Danny Keohane, James Doherty, Glen Rainey; Colm McGonagle, Art O'Connor, Gary Crossan, Gary Whoriskey; Oisin McMenamin, Johnny Gallagher. Subs: David Dorrian for Danny Keohane; Gavin Cullen for Oisin McMenamin.