0 v 1 
Wexford FCVideo
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 June 2023 | 8:00 pm | LOI Men's First Division | 2023 |
Match Report
Dobbs goal helps Wexford to points at Harps
Aaron Drobbs’ drilled strike in the sixty-fourth minute proved pivotal as Wexford triumphed at Finn Park tonight, closing in on the playoff places.
Hoping that the 2-3 victory away to Longford Town a fortnight ago would spur his side on, Dave Rogers brought in matchwinning winger that night, Damian Duffy to start whilst his Wexford counterpart, Ian Ryan welcomed back forward Danny Furlong.
Another scorer at Bishopsgate went close early for Harps, Ryan Flood’s free kick drawing a sharp save from Charlie Heffernan.
Eight minutes in though and Furlong spurned the clearest chance created so far. Freed by Aaron Dobbs’ lovely vision on a swift counterattack, Furlong could only scuff tamely at Tim Heimer.
Caoimhin Porter, as ever, was putting in a lively shift down the right but with Sean O’Donnell well-placed, Porter powered a shot in himself which Heffernan parried.
That got the Finn Park crowd, plus the brave eight Wexford supporters, murmuring and a Duffy driver in the twenty-third minute that almost flashed into the top left corner drew applause, a sparkly moment in a fraught stalemate.
With Wexford content to sit deep and break, Harps next came close via set pieces. Flood delivered, captain Keith Cowan headed goalwards but Corban Piper calmly cleared for the visitors.
A mazy O’Donnell dribble that came to nought ended the first half as apt metaphor reflecting Harps’ huff and puff but, so far, lack of killer instinct in front of goal.
Despite the arrival of Aaron McLaughin up front, Wexford clawed their way into dictating the game, a Dobbs drive flashing wide.
And so, Harps couldn’t claim they weren’t warned as moments later, Dobbs put a dagger through home hearts.
Reece Webb, excellent in attack and defence, meandered up the right, pinged a careful cross in where the just arrived substitute Mark Hanratty unselfishly laid it off to the better, centrally placed Dobbs and the captain made no mistake, rifling his shot into Heimer’s bottom corner.
The goal changed how the match was dictated as the onus shifted back to Harps having to break down Wexford.
That suited Ian Ryan’s men perfectly as illustrated by a Dobbs half-volley going just off target.
McLaughlin though spruced Harps’ attack up rightly and twice the teenager demonstrated his pace, soaring down the left unstoppably but his crosses lacked precision with team mates also lumbering in their efforts to keep up with his speedy surges!
Ben Lynch blocked crucially but it was a final ten minutes of nearly-moments for Rogers and co.
A corner deep into additional time saw Heimer sent up but summing up their night, an attacker slipped at the key second and Wexford held on.
This continues Harps’ worrying home form and a trip to a reeling Waterford side, who battered them 4-0 recently, doesn’t make life any easier.
Wexford trek to Longford next Saturday night, now with an even firmer eye on bursting into the playoff positions.
Timeline
| 2' | Hugh Douglas | |
| 4. Daithi McCallion | 18' | |
| 21. Damian Duffy | 38' | |
| 57' | 3. Ben Lynch | |
| Filip Da Silva Aaron McLaughlin | 58' | |
| 6. Noe Baba | 59' | |
| 59' | 16. Brandon McCann | |
| 62' | Karl Chambers Darragh Levingston | |
| 62' | Danny Furlong Mark Hanratty | |
| 64' | 10. Aaron Dobbs | |
| Kevin Jordan Max Johnston | 71' | |
| 78' | Hugh Douglas Sean Fitzpatrick | |
| Shane McMonagle Ellis Farrar | 85' |
Past Meetings
|
(Round 10)
0 - 1LOI Men's First Division
Ferrycarrig Park Wexford FC 0-1 Finn Harps FC |
|
(Round 4)
0 - 0LOI Men's First Division
Finn Park Finn Harps FC 0-0 Wexford FC |
7:45 pmLOI Men's Premier Division
Ferrycarrig Park Wexford FC v Finn Harps FC |
1LOI Men's Premier Division
Finn Park Finn Harps FC v Wexford FC |
1 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
Ferrycarrig Park Wexford FC v Finn Harps FC |
Ground
| Finn Park |
|---|
| Finn Park, Navenny Street, Stranorlar Electoral Division, Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District, County Donegal, F93 Y27K, Ireland |
FULL TIME - Wexford have seen it out and take the three points, thanks to Dobbs' strike!
Harps' intensity has well increased now but could be in vain, they'll want one chance
Heffernan claims Flood's corner as Wexford count the clock down
Loose touch from the tireless McCann sees a Wexford foray forward fizzle out, into five minutes additional time!
Ellis Farrar on for McMonagle
McLaughlin is lively off the bench and he accelerates down the left but Flood is beaten to the cross!
Great hit from Flood, just past the post after an alert Duffy spotted him on the D
Sean Fitzpatrick on for Douglas as Wexford frustrate Harps, it's a quiet Finn Park now
Bit of momentum for Harps as McLaughlin breezes in behind and has men square, he plays the pass by out of nowhere, Lynch appears to make a CRUCIAL block
Max Johnston replaces Kevin Jordan in Harps' second switch
Dobbs is in again, this time Hanratty supplies the killer pass, but Heimer is out quickly and forces Dobbs left and to overrun it
Lovely stuff from Wexford, slicing Harps open as Dobbs turns provider for Hanratty whose flashing hit is saved by Heimer's legs!
Wexford take the front! Captain Dobbs calmly slotting home after a neat Levingston layoff from Webb's cross
Double Wexford change as Mark Hanratty and Darragh Levingston are introduced
Noe Baba and Brandon McCann both booked for overzealous tustling at a free kick
Ben Lynch booked as Dave Rogers introduces young striker Aaron McLaughlin in place of da Silva
Wexford bossing it offensively now as Dobbs and Reece Webb craft space for Dobbs to shoot but Heimer blocks his near post well
Better stuff from Wexford as early pressure leads to McCallion heading away crucially but Flood, rapid, overruns the ball
SECOND HALF - Away we go again!
HALF TIME - Scoreless but Finn Harps have edged it, Wexford are very defensive at the moment!
Lovely pass by Porter releases O'Donnell who dribbles directly but sees his intended cross blocked, Harps applying the attacking pressure!
Duffy carded harshly for stopping a Wexford three v two
Finn Harps force a few corners and from the first of these go close again. Ryan Flood's delivery met meatily by Keith Cowan but Corban Piper is in the right place at the right time to clear
CHANCE - Best quality on show so far comes from Damien Duffy who drives in a pelter of a volley on Heffernan's goal and it nudges the angle of crossbar/post on it's way over, so close!
Daithi McCallion booked, joining Hugh Douglas in the book. Before that, Porter had powered up field but with Sean O'Donnell square, he shot himself and Heffernan parried
Decent opening for Harps who themselves counter through Caoimhin Porter but dogged tracking back by Kian Corbally snuffs out the chance
CHANCE - Rapid Wexford counterattack as Aaron Dobbs holds up brilliantly before swivelling and sending Danny Furlong running through unopposed but his shot is tame and Tim Heimer has an easy save to make, in the end
CHANCE - Early free kick to Finn Harps, Shane McMonagle starting strongly in midfield. From it, Charlie Heffernan saves well from Ryan Flood's effort before Filip da Silva can get to the rebound
KICK OFF - Underway!
One Wexford change with Danny Furlong back fit to start, they, unlike their hosts, name seven substitutes
The headline home team news is a first start for matchwinner, a fortnight ago, in Bishopsgate, Damian Duffy earning his first full start whilst Ellis Farrar returns as a substitute
Good evening and you're very welcome to tonight's LOI coverage as the PD and FD resume following the international break. My name's Rory Morrow and I'll be keeping you updated on all the action from Ballybofey as Finn Harps host Wexford, kick off is at 8pm with team news on the way!