Finn Harps’ recent poor run of form continued after a defeat on home soil against Athlone Town on Friday night.
Finn Harps 0 – 2 Athlone Town
Report by Stuart Connolly with pics by Joe Boland
Ben Feeney netted an early goal, and after Gavin Hodgins blasted an effort against the post in the second half, Gideon Tetteh found the net to ensure the visitors first win in nine games.
They match Harps now on points gained, and sit alongside Kerry FC and Longford Town on 13 points.
Kevin McHugh made a raft of changes to the line-up after defeat last week.
Michael Place, David Cawley, Aaron McLaughlin and Dara McGuinness were all named in the starting eleven as David Aziaya and Conor Tourish missed out through injury. Oisin Cooney was named in between the sticks for his first appearance since February.
Unfortunately for the shot-stopper, his clean sheet was wiped out with six minutes on the clock. Kailin Barlow floated the ball into the box from the right side, and Ben Feeney fulfilled his task with a deft header into the bottom right corner.
Just a couple of moments before that header, Dara McGuinness volleyed towards goal, but Dylan Hand was well positioned to get a block in.
With a little over ten minutes gone, McGuinness turned provider, and the game should have been level. His run into the area on the left side assisted Gavin Hodgins, only for his gilt-edged chance from point-blank range to fizz over the bar.
It wasn’t exactly a copybook first half for Harps. The early goal was one thing, but the injury list had an additional two names on it. Dara McGuinness was the first to leave the pitch, and replaced by Gavin McAteer, who had a recent trial with Scottish Premiership Champions, Celtic.
Josh Cullen also left the field of play before halftime.
After the interval, Harps had the better of the play leading up to, and a bit beyond the hour mark. Matthew Connor made a routine save to stop a free kick from Tony McNamee, and just moments later, the netminder was rooted to the ground. The ball sat up nicely for Gavin Hodgins on the edge of the box, only for his exquisite volley to cannon off the inside of the post.
Former Harps player, Noe Baba was alert to deny Lomboto with just under 20 minutes to go, and just a few seconds later, Athlone Town doubled their lead.
Gideon Tetteh held the ball close on the edge of the area, and after finding the required space, he coolly rifled his effort into the bottom left corner.
Finn Harps had a late opportunity to reduce the deficit and set up a tense finish, but a header from McNamee looped over the bar.
Finn Harps: Oisin Cooney; Michael Place, Max Hutchison, Josh Cullen(Kevin Jordan 42), Joel Thompson; Gavin Hodgins, David Cawley(Patrick Ferry 65), Tony McNamee, Aaron McLaughlin, Gradi Lomboto; Dara McGuinness(Gavin McAteer 32).
Athlone Town: Matthew Connor; Cole Omorehiomwan, German Fuentes Rodriguez, Dylan Hand, Brian Torre(Kyle O’Connor 73); Noe Baba, Aaron Connolly, Daniel McKenna(John Ross Wilson 73), Kailin Barlow(Declan McDaid 63), Gideon Tetteh(Matthew Leal 90); Ben Feeney(Kyle Robinson 73).
Referee: Daryl Carolan
Tags: