By Alan Foley
Finn Harps 1-0 Bray Wanderers
Finn Harps' Dave Scully came back to haunt his old club Bray Wanderers in Ballybofey on Friday night.
The Dubliner shot Ollie Horgan’s side into a ninth-minute lead at Finn Park when he rounded off a decent move that saw another player who used to ply his trade at the Carlisle Grounds, Sean Houston, involved in the build-up to set Ryan Curran free down the left.
The goal came somewhat against the run of play as it was Bray who started the better in the north-west.
Robbie Creevy passed up on a great opportunity as early as the sixth minute when he was unchallenged in the hosts’ penalty area but his header from a centre from Hugh Douglas was well off target.
The side managed by Mick Cooke though, had goalkeeper Peter Cherrie to thank for keeping their arrears at just the one when he made a stunning fingertip save from a smashing 25-yard drive from Hanlon some 14 minutes in.
However, despite the busy start from both teams, the chances thereafter dried up for long spells.
Bray saw plenty of the ball but failed to really test Richard Brush in the Harps goal, with the goalkeeper making a few routine saves.
Harps had gone into the contest on the back of an unfortunate 2-1 loss against St Patrick’s Athletic in last Monday night’s rearranged fixture.
And with long away trips to Cork City and Wexford Youths in the next two weekends, points at home are vital for the Donegal side who have defeated both Derry City and Longford Town on home turf this season.
Bray continued to have plenty of the ball after half-time but never overly penetrated Harps’ defence, who were well protected by a five-man midfield.
From one Harps break, Hanlon's cross was headed wide by Tony McNamee on the stretch with goalkeeper Peter Cherrie not making it.
In a second half of few openings, it was as close as either side would come.
At the other end, there was a half-chance for Bray as Andrew Lewis found a pocket of space some 20 yards from goal but his attempted lob of Brush doesn't have the level of conviction intended and fell wide.
But it added to the anxiety levels and Bray were the side most likely in the second half. Again though, they didn’t make use out of the amount of the ball they had. Ryan Curran became an increasingly lonely figure up top for the home side.
Karl Moore and Andrew Lewis both found themselves in promising positions in the Harps area late on but opted for power over precision when there might’ve been been better options inside.
So, Bray remain joint-bottom of the table on four points.
Harps have played much better this term and got nothing, so will take the three points with both hands tonight after grinding it out.
Finn Harps: Richard Brush; Damien McNulty, Keith Cowan, Packie Mailey, Ciaran Coll; Adam Hanlon (Raymond Foy 67), Sean Houston, Gareth Harkin (Matthew Crossan 87), Dave Scully (Michael Funston 81); Tony McNamee; Ryan Curran.
Bray Wanderers: Peter Cherrie; Hugh Douglas, Paul Finnegan (Alan Byrne 35, Jason Marks half-time), Conor Kenna, Sean Harding; Dylan Connolly (Gareth McDonagh 77), Robbie Creevy, Ryan Brennan, Karl Moore; Andrew Lewis, Ger Pender.
Referee: Ray Matthews (Mullingar).
Harps had gone into the contest on the back of an unfortunate 2-1 loss against St Patrick’s Athletic in last Monday night’s rearranged fixture.
And with long away trips to Cork City and Wexford Youths in the next two weekends, points at home are vital for the Donegal side who have defeated both Derry City and Longford Town on home turf this season.
Bray continued to have plenty of the ball after half-time but never overly penetrated Harps’ defence, who were well protected by a five-man midfield.
From one Harps break, Hanlon's cross was headed wide by Tony McNamee on the stretch with goalkeeper Peter Cherrie not making it.
In a second half of few openings, it was as close as either side would come.
At the other end, there was a half-chance for Bray as Andrew Lewis found a pocket of space some 20 yards from goal but his attempted lob of Brush doesn't have the level of conviction intended and fell wide.
But it added to the anxiety levels and Bray were the side most likely in the second half. Again though, they didn’t make use out of the amount of the ball they had. Ryan Curran became an increasingly lonely figure up top for the home side.
Karl Moore and Andrew Lewis both found themselves in promising positions in the Harps area late on but opted for power over precision when there might have been been better options inside.
So, Bray remain joint-bottom of the table on four points.
Harps have played much better this term and got nothing, so will take the three points with both hands tonight after grinding it out.
Finn Harps: Richard Brush; Damien McNulty, Keith Cowan, Packie Mailey, Ciaran Coll; Adam Hanlon (Raymond Foy 67), Sean Houston, Gareth Harkin (Matthew Crossan 87), Dave Scully (Michael Funston 81); Tony McNamee; Ryan Curran.
Bray Wanderers: Peter Cherrie; Hugh Douglas, Paul Finnegan (Alan Byrne 35, Jason Marks half-time), Conor Kenna, Sean Harding; Dylan Connolly (Gareth McDonagh 77), Robbie Creevy, Ryan Brennan, Karl Moore; Andrew Lewis, Ger Pender.
Referee: Ray Matthews (Mullingar).
