Two substitutes combined in the second half as Harps came from behind to earn a point against Wexford FC on Friday night.
Finn Harps 1 – 1 Wexford FC
By Stuart Connolly at Finn Park
Calum Flynn netted the first goal of the contest in the very early stages, and they held that lead going into the break.
Gavin Gilmore was only on the field of play for a minute before he assisted Gradi Lomboto midway through the second half.
The result doesn’t change much at the bottom end of the table as Harps remain one point ahead of tenth, and eight behind the playoff pack.
The visitors got off to the perfect start in this encounter, but it was unlucky number 13 for Finn Harps, in more ways than one.
James Crawford drilled the ball in low from the left side, and it rolled to the feet of Calum Flynn, who had his back to goal, but he found the required space on the edge of the box, before a powerful finish into the top left corner.
Finn Harps were without a couple of experienced big-hitters in this one, and the absence of Conor Tourish and Tony McNamee had the average age of the starting eleven, which included seven academy graduates, at just 20 years old.
After the early opener, neither side had too much going for them up front. Aaron McLaughlin fired a low effort into the grasp of Alex Moody at one end, while Flynn floated one over the bar at the other.
Shortly prior to the half hour mark, Finn Harps had the ball in the back of the net, but the celebrations were halted. McLaughlin had played in Shaunie Bradley, but the offside flag had been raised just as his shot nestled in the corner.
Josh Cullen had the last pop at goal before the break as his low attempt was parried away by the gloves of Moody.
Harps started the second half the better side, and only a heavy touch from McLaughlin beyond Moody saw a big chance fade.
McLaughlin created another opportunity for Gavin Hodgins, and this strike was caught by the netminder.
Wexford had very little to get excited about as Aaron Dobbs and Calum Flynn both had audacious attempts fly off target with Cooney off his line.
With just 20 minutes to go, an inspired substitution changed the game. Gavin Gilmore replaced McLaughlin, and in his first act, he drove down the right side from the halfway line, cut inside close to the area, and floated a pinpoint cross onto the head of fellow substitute Gradi Lomboto for the equaliser.
A few minutes later, Harps almost completed a quick turnaround, but a delivery into the box from Bradley-Walsh was just knocked over the bar by Bradley.
The hosts had the upper hand as the last sands fell through the hourglass, but they couldn’t capitalise with a late free kick that fell into the grateful hands of Moody.
Finn Harps: Oisin Cooney; Michael Place(Gradi Lomboto 63), Max Hutchison, Joel Bradley-Walsh, Joel Thompson; Josh Cullen, Kevin Jordan, Gavin Hodgins(Adam McDaid 86), Gavin McAteer, Aaron McLaughlin(Gavin Gilmore 69); Shaunie Bradley
Wexford FC: Alex Moody; James Crawford, Josh Lyons, Dean Larkin, Ryan Butler; Zayd Abada, Darragh Levingston(Ryan Kelly ht), Kaylem Harnett(Kyal Byrne ht), Calum Flynn, Mikie Rowe; Aaron Dobbs.
Referee: Lucas Keating
