Main pic: Hans Mpongo slots home in his debut for Finn Harps. Pic: North West NewsPix.
Hans Mpongo bagged a goal on his Finn Harps debut as Kevin McHugh’s side triumphed over UCD for the first time since 2019, and booked their spot in the next round of the FAI Cup in the process.
Finn Harps 3
UCD 0
By Stuart Connolly at Finn Park.
Gradi Lomboto scored his fourth goal in seven games as Harps protected that lead going into the break.
Mpongo had a spot kick saved by Dara Kavanagh in the moments prior to his goal, and the win was wrapped up in a bow when Tony McNamee scored the third of the day.
Signed in the hours leading up to the kick-off, Hans Mpongo was handed his debut, and the Dutch forward, previously of FC Rijnvogels in the country’s fourth tier, almost made an instant impact.
He was presented with two decent opportunities in as many minutes as the first effort fizzed just over the bar, while the second was met with a textbook block from Eanna Clancy.
In the thick of the action early on, Mpongo was then just a whisker away once again, but the low cross in from Gradi Lomboto evaded him and Tony McNamee.
Beyond that fast start, chances became elusive. Ciaran Behan had a free kick comfortably caught by Corey Sheridan a quarter of an hour in, while the netminder was more than capable of commanding his area during any set-piece that floated his way.
With 30 minutes on the clock, Finn Harps scored the opening goal.
Idir Zerrouk was robbed of the ball on the edge of the area, and it rolled nicely for Lomboto, who took one touch before a lethal finish beyond the dive of Dara Kavanagh.
The UCD shot-stopper was called into action again ten minutes later, and he came out on top to deny a strong header from Conor Tourish.
Looking to mimic the exploits of their opponents from their encounter last week, Harps almost added a second goal on the cusp of half time, but Oran Brogan fired just over from the edge of the area.
Gradi Lomboto wheels away after scoring with a spectacular long effort against UCD at Finn Park. Pic: North West NewsPix.
Within five minutes of the restart, Harps were awarded a penalty after Kavanagh clattered into Zerrouk.
Mpongo was handed the ball, but his low strike from 12 yards out and intended for the bottom left corner was well saved by Kavanagh.
Just a few minutes later, he made amends with a shot that nestled in the bottom corner after a deflection.
Beyond the hour mark, Harps stretched their lead to three. McNamee played in Mpongo, and his low attempt was stopped by Kavanagh, but McNamee was quick to pounce and finish off the rebound.
Similar to last week, the third goal for the hosts ended the game as a contest.
Harps did fashion a couple of late chances to extend their advantage, but shots from Gavin Hodgins and Shaunie Bradley missed the mark.
The Students failed to replicate what they created last week, and Corey Sheridan was able to pick up his fifth clean sheet in six games.
Finn Harps: Corey Sheridan; Conor Tourish, Josh Cullen, Joel Bradley-Walsh, Kieran Cooney(Daniel Cunningham 90); Max Hutchison, Oran Brogan(Adam McDaid 84), Tony McNamee(Gavin McAteer 77), Idir Zerrouk, Gradi Lomboto(Shaunie Bradley 90); Hans Mpongo(Gavin Hodgins 77).
UCD: Dara Kavanagh; Adam Wells, Eanna Clancy, Carl Lennox(Kyle Donoghue 84), Colin Bolton; Michael McCullagh(Louis Dignam 63), Ciaran Behan, Sam Norval(Adam Verdon 54), Adam Brennan(Odhran McLaughlin 63); Jake Doyle, Michael Raggett(Hugh Smith 54).
Referee: Neil Doyle.
Kieran Cooney in action for Finn Harps against UCD. Pic: North West NewsPix.
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