4 v 1 
Finn HarpsDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 October 2021 | 7:45 pm | LOI Men's Premier Division | 2021 |
Match Report
Impressive Waterford deliver win over Harps
Waterford earned a vital 3 points as they defeated Finn Harps 4-1 at the RSC this evening, despite finishing the game with 10 men.
A goal from Phoenix Patterson, John Martin and two from Armando Junior Quitirna saw the Blues stomp to a great home win.
Keeper Brian Murphy was sent off just past the hour mark and Babatunde Owolabi's following penalty brought the game to 2-1.
Despite late pressure from the visitors, Waterford refused to bow however, and two late goals saw the home side win by three.
Both teams showed promise in attack without really threatening goal in the game's opening stages.
Babatunde Owolabi's effort for the visitors was perhaps the first big chance early on but the striker's shot was stopped by the reach of Waterford keeper Brian Murphy.
As the half went on, the home side began to look the better and enjoyed much more ball than their opposition with Blues forwards Armando Junior Quitirna and the ever-dangerous Phoenix Patterson stirring trouble for Finn Harps down the left side.
The visitors' defence remained steady until the 17th minute when a Junior cross was cleared only to roll to Patterson at the edge of the box.
The Scottish attacker took it in his stride and his fearsome shot was fired into the left corner of the Harp's goal to beat Gerard Doherty and put the home side up 1-0.
Waterford remained in control after that but failed to create another good chance, with Patterson coming closest again with a free kick that went just over.
Finn Harps had to replace injured keeper Doherty with Mark McGinley but began to grow back into the game as half-time approached, winning a number of set-pieces in Waterford territory. They couldn't come close though and went into the break a goal down.
The second half was nothing if not eventful. Harps threatened early through Owolabi, with the striker again coming close but hitting his close range shot into the side netting while an earlier run into the box was cut-out by an excellent Shane Griffin tackle.
Waterford got back on top with time though and a pressure run from Junior saw Harp's McGinley drop the ball behind him into the Waterford attacker's path, who slot home into an open goal to put his side up 2-0 with on 68 minutes.
Drama followed when Waterford goalie Brian Murphy was sent off for violent conduct in his box and Owolabi's penalty, which just bounced over the line thanks to the efforts of sub-keeper Matt Connor, put the game at 2-1 with 15 minutes remaining.
Sensing a possible draw, the visitors put Waterford under pressure as time ran out but the home side were able to take advantage and two late counter-attacks saw the Blues strike twice after 90 minutes through John Martin and Junior to storm to an overwhelming home win.
Timeline
| 44. Phoenix Patterson | 18' | |
| 33' | Gerard Doherty Mark McGinley | |
| 45' | Dan Hawkins Johnny Dunleavy | |
| 60' | 11. Adam Foley | |
| 11. Armando Junior Quitirna | 68' | |
| 1. Brian Murphy | 72' | |
| Shane Griffin Matthew Connor | 73' | |
| Greg Halford | 74' | |
| 74' | 7. Babatunde Owolabi | |
| 75' | Karl O'Sullivan Mark Timlin | |
| 6. Kyle Ferguson | 82' | |
| 10. John Martin | 92' | |
| 11. Armando Junior Quitirna | 94' |
Past Meetings
|
(Series 20)
0 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park Finn Harps v Waterford |
|
(Series 13)
1 - 2LOI Men's Premier Division
Regional Sports Centre Waterford v Finn Harps |
|
(Series 4)
2 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park Finn Harps v Waterford |
|
(Series 18)
1 - 0LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park Finn Harps v Waterford |
|
(Series 9)
2 - 3LOI Men's Premier Division
Regional Sports Centre Waterford v Finn Harps |
1 - 0LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park Finn Harps FC v Waterford FC |
0 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
Regional Sports Centre Waterford FC v Finn Harps FC |
3 - 2LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park Finn Harps FC v Waterford FC |
4 - 0LOI Men's Premier Division
Regional Sports Centre Waterford FC v Finn Harps FC |
Ground
| Regional Sports Centre |
|---|
| Waterford Regional Sports Centre, Inner Ring Road, Kilbarry, Waterford, County Waterford, Munster, X91 KT29, Ireland |
Full-Time. Waterford storm to all three points with two late goals to put the game beyond doubt. Finn Harps looked to be putting them under pressure late on but goals from John Martin and Junior after 90 minutes earns the Blues a vital win.
GOALLL! And another, Junior gets his second with another great break by the home side! 4-1!
GOALLL! Waterford break and John Martin gets an easy tap in to bring the game beyond doubt! 3-1 Waterford!
Finn Harps putting pressure on now
Into added time at the RSC
Goal!! Owolabi scores the penalty for Finn Harps! Despite Matt Connor's best efforts the ball bounces across the goal line!
Finn Harps penalty for Murphy's foul!
More drama at the RSC as Brian Murphy sent off for Waterford
Brian Murphy punches away a dangerous Finn Harps corner
GOALLL! Finn Harps keeper McGinley drops the ball under pressure and Junior gets Waterford's second!
Excellent block by McEleny prevents Patterson from shooting at close range
Finn Harps coming into the game again just as Waterford were dominating
Adam Foley booked for a foul on Junior
Mustoe makes a good clearance
Waterford free 10 yards outside the Harps' box
Finn Harps the more threatening this half
Play back on
John Martin down injured for the Blues
Owolabi's shot goes just left and wide!
Shane Griffin's excellent tackle stops Owolabi's dangerous run in the Waterford box
Johnny Dunleavy on for Finn Harps
Dan Hawkins replaced by Johnny Dunleavy at half-time
The second-half kicks off at the RSC!
Half-Time at the RSC. Phoenix Patterson's goal sees Waterford lead Finn Harps 1-0. Harp's beginning to come more into the game as the game went on but no real chances created by the visitors.
There will be 3 minutes added time
Finn Harps enjoying possession now
Finn Harps free goes well over
Sadiki makes a great intervention in his box to cut out a counter attack by the home side
The visitors getting on top now, winning a number of set-pieces in Waterford territory
Greg Halford makes a good header to clear a Finn Harps set-piece
Play resumes
Mark McGinley is on
Finn Harp's keeper Ger Doherty has to leave the field injured
Patterson's free goes just over the visitor's goal
Patterson wins a dangerous free outside the box
Halford's dangerous cross can't find anyone in the Finn Harps box
Waterford controlling possession now
Shot driven straight at Waterford keeper Murphy who makes an easy save
GOALLL! Phoenix Patterson beats the Finn Harps keeper from outside the box with a low driven effort into the left corner!
Patterson's cross can't find any Waterford attackers and its cut out by Harp's defence
Kyle Ferguson's header from a corner goes well over
Still scoreless at the RSC as both teams juking it out
Waterford good on the counter but can't create the final product
Brian Murphy makes a good save on Owolabi!
Underway at the RSC!
2 minutes 'til Kick-Off at the RSC!
Dave Webster captains the Finn Harps tonight as they look for a third victory in four games against Waterford
Junior scored a winning penalty for Waterford on his debut the last time these sides met and starts this evening while new signing Ronaldo makes his first appearance on the bench for the Blues
Having gone 7 games unbeaten at the RSC, Waterford will be tough opponents in front of their home support and just edge it as favourites heading into tonight's contest!
On the other hand, Finn Harps could find themselves in mid-table safety if they come home with all three points this evening.
Relegation threatened Waterford (9th) are positioned 4 points behind 8th place Finn Harps and a win is vital tonight if they are to have any chance at top-flight football next year.
Welcome along to Final Whistle's coverage of Waterford FC v Finn Harps at the RSC in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division. My name is Jack Joy and I'll be taking you through this evening's clash. Kick-Off is at 7.45pm!