Finn Harps Score Three And Win Three

Finn Harps 3 Swilly Rovers 1

Finn Harps made it a "clean sweep" in their section of the League Cup when they defeated Swilly Rovers at Finn Park on Tuesday night by a three goals to one scoreline.
This victory means that Harps have easily qualified for the quarter-finals of the Cup and with victories over Sligo Rovers, Derry City, and now Swilly Rovers, they have ended up with maximum points and have beaten all three of their North-West rivals.

However, although a three-one scoreline might suggest that Harps were very much on top, things were very even in the first half of Tuesday night's match. Indeed, the goals aside, Swilly gave as good as they got and shocked Harps early on by going into a goal lead which they held from the 14th minute until Harps got their equaliser twelve minutes later. Although Harps had most of the attacking moves in the first forty-five minutes, Swilly fought gamely and the sides turned over level at a goal apiece at half time.

Harps came out for the second half on a mission and within five minutes they were a goal ahead with a beautiful Shane Bradley header. They continued to force the pace and when substitute Mark Kelly got the third goal in the 68th minute, the game was over as a contest. Swilly continued to try and make a game of it from here to the end but there was just no way past a resolute and reshuffled Harps defence in which Shane Bradley, Graeme O'Hanlon and Jonathan Minnock were giving little away.
Harps began this match in determined fashion and did all of the early pressing. After four minutes Jonathan Speak almost opened the scoring when he headed a Gerard McGranaghan cross in at the near post with the Swilly goalkeeper, Jim Harley struggling to hold it. Paul Nash got himself booked for a foul on Speak at the same time. In the 5th minute Shane Bradley had a hard shot from a Harps corner stopped by Harley with his feet and a minute later Dom Tierney sent in a rasper which just shaved the post. Speak then had a headed effort cleared off the line by Michael Rodgers before Swilly shocked Harps with their opening goal.

This came in the 14th minute and involved two ex-Finn Harps players. Kevin Moore found Sean McCafferty, the former Harps player, and the Swilly man jigged past Paddy McGrenaghan before crossing to an unmarked Gary Heeney, another ex-Harps man, who got the present of a completely free header and steered it past Downey and into the left hand corner.
The Swilly celebrations were short-lived, however, as Harps were back on terms within twelve minutes. Fergal Harkin won a free kick which he blasted off the cross bar and when it came back into play Kemo Avdiu was in the perfect position to ram the ball low into the net amid a ruck of players.

Harps then strung some fine moves together but although they came close they could not find the net. In the 30th minute Paddy McGranaghan, Fergal Harkin and Johnny Kenny combined well with the latter sending a screamer past the left hand post. Then, at the other end, Maurice Lafferty went on a good run which saw him being brought down by O'Hanlon who was subsequently booked. Sean McCafferty took the free kick which fairly rattled the Harps left upright before being cleared. John Gregg too had a chance in the 39th minute when he just flicked a Martin Doherty pass wide of the post while Kemo Avdiu had the last chance of the half for Harps when he combined with Speak but his final shot banged off the left hand post.
In the second period, it did not take Harps long to go in front. The half was just ten minutes old when Harps won a corner kick and Fergal Harkin's inswinger saw Kemo Avdiu flicking the ball on to Shane Bradley who headed it home powerfully.
Paddy McGrehaghan was going on some fine runs down the wing at this stage but it was not until the 68th minute that they sealed the points. Harps had brought on Mark Kelly for Speak in the 62nd minute and he made his impact on things just six minutes later when he got the final header to a ball which had bobbled about after good combination work between Fergal Harkin and Johnny Kenny.

This was the icing on the cake for Harps and although both sides came close with some fine attacking moves there were no further scores. Swilly had the last chance almost on time when Maurice Lafferty went on a fine run down the left but Gary Heeney headed his fine cross just wide of the post.
So Harps now go on to the quarter-finals of the League Cup with reputation intact and full points from their three games played. They must be in with a great chance of honours in this competition if they play as they have done to-date.

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