A somewhat understrength Finn Harps recorded a massive win away to high-flying Athlone Town tonight to move to within just four points of the play-off spot.
Athlone Town 1
Finn Harps 4
Two goals each from the on-fire Patrick Ferry and Success Edogun means they have now won two on the trot. What makes tonight’s victory more impressive is that Darren Murphy had to make the daunting trip to the midlands without the injured Ryan Rainey while young guns Aaron McLaughlin and Sean Patton are away on international duty with the Ireland U19s.
Ferry, who also scored in the home win over Cobh last week, had Harps in front after just three minutes on the clock.
He added another on the half-hour mark when his deflected shot deceived the Athlone ‘keeper, Lee Axworthy, after some good build up play by team captain, Tony McNamee.
The visitors went in 0-2 up at half time and could have been even further ahead as Jamie Watson and Success Edogun both came close to adding to that tally.
Harps continued to impress after the restart and almost went 3-0 up when a well struck free in the 50th minute from McNamee was just inches wide.
Edogun did find the net in typical fashion in the 75th minute after using his strength to hold off a number of challenges to slot home.
Athlone did pull one back in the 80th minute due to a mix-up in the Harps defence. However, Edogun added another two minutes later to make it 4-1 much to the delight of the travelling support.
Things also went Harps way in the other fixtures tonight which saw Bray Wanderers, who are just four points above in the coved fifth place play-off spot, go down 1-0 away to Longford.
Cork City were crowned First Division Champions after their 1-0 win at UCD, third-placed Wexford defeated Cobh Ramblers 2-1 and Kerry had a 1-0 away win against Treaty.
Harps entertain basement club Longford Town at Finn Park next Friday night with their tails high and a play-off spot within touching distance.
Athlone Town: Lee Axworthy; German Fuentes Rodrigues, Joah Van Geenan, Daniel McKenna (Amardo Oakley, 74), Brian Torre; Gideon Tetteh, Dylan Hand, Aaron Connolly (Oisin Duffy, half-time), Leonardo Gaxha (Kyle Robinson, 65); Peter McGregor (Shane Forbes, 74), Dean Ebbe.
Finn Harps: Oisin Cooney; Jamie Watson, Matty Mackinson, Noe Baba, Kevin Jordan (Luke O’Brien, 85), Max Johnston; Max Hutchinson (Bruce Strachan, 68), David Cawley (Gavin Gilmore, 85), Tony McNamee, Patrick Ferry (Gavin McAteer, 85), Success Edogun (Dylan McAteer, 89).
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