Declan Boyle’s Under 17’s made it three wins in a row with this comfortable home victory over Longford Town at Finn Park.
Finn Harps 4 Longford Town 0
Charlie Collins reports from Finn Park.
After losing three of their opening five games this win puts them back in touch with the other teams in the top half of the table.
Harps started well and took the lead in the 6th minute when Daniel Gildea’s dangerous delivery from a corner caused problems and Stephen Black was allowed to turn the ball into the net from inside the six-yard line.
Both teams were pushing forward at every opportunity and defences had to be alert. Harps got a great chance to double their lead in the 18thminute when Conor Black’s was upended in the box following a strong run from midfield but Luke Rudden’s penalty effort struck the post and was cleared.
However, it became 2-0 in the 32nd minute when the same two players successfully combined. Black made another super run down the left and his pinpoint cross was powerfully headed home by Rudden from six yards.
Longford continued to look dangerous going forward but Stephen Black and Corey Brolly were solid in centre defence and Dylan Woods was providing a strong screen in front of them.
Five minutes before the break the Black brothers combined to almost add a third goal, Stephen heading Conor’s floated free-kick just wide. Just before the break Harps keeper Adrian McLaughlin saved well from Dylan Waldron and it remained 2-0 in Harps favour at the break.
Daniel Gildea went close in the 51st minute, cutting in from the right side onto his left foot and flashing a shot just wide of the far post.
Harps began to dominate after this and added fresh legs from the bench. Conor Black created a great chance for Rudden who shot just over but two minutes later it was 3-0 to the home side when Black’s free-kick from near the touchline completed confused keeper Gaffney as it flew into the net over his head.
Harps sub, Nathan Logue flashed a shot just wide but two minutes later was in the right spot when fellow sub, Fionnian O Donnell’s cracker was parried out by Gaffney, Logue blasted the rebound to the net to make it 4-0 to Harps.
Gaffney made several very good saves as Harps kept up the pressure until the end but it finished 4-0, and fives wins out of eight games for Harps.
An impressive showing by Harps as Declan Boyle’s side looked good going forward, solid in defence and with strength off the bench.
Finn Harps U17s: Adrian McLaughlin, Fionnan Coyle, Conor McDaid, Corey Brolly, Stephen Black, Daniel Gildea, Dylan Woods, Conor Black; Luke Rudden, Jamie Doherty, Jamie McDaid.
Subs: Nathan Logue and Fionnian O Donnell for Jamie McDaid and Gildea ( both 65mins), Coamhin Wheeler for Doherty ( 70mins ), Daryl Porter for Rudden ( 75mins ) Jay Doherty for Brolly ( 80mins ).
Longford Town; Dan Guthrie, Alex Barrett, Isaac Abanka, Alex Ruane, Lewis McKeown, Sam Hayden, Diarmuid Boylan, Dylan Waldron, Sam Barnes, Ben Feeney, Ethan Delaney.
Subs: Killian Gaffney for Guthrie ( h/t), Ryan McCormack for Delaney (52mins), Killian O Brien for McKeown (70mins ), Mirosian Cureea for Feeney ( 75mins ).
Referee: Michael Connelly.
