Turner provides the key for Harps

FINN HARPS....................4
WATERFORD UNITED......0

FINN Harps lifted themselves above Sligo Rovers and Waterford United and out of the relegation zone for the first time in nine weeks following this impressive win against Waterford at Finn Park on Saturday night last.Goals from debutant Mike Turner, Fergal Harkin (2) and leading goal scorer James Mulligan ensured that Gavin Dykes' team now enter the final third of the season knowing that retaining a place in the Premier Division next season is very much in their own hands.

'This was a game we needed to take three points from and thankfully we did it. Now the trick is to build on it and get a run going,' Dykes said afterwards.The ace in the pack on Saturday night was Turner, the club's new on loan signing from English First Division club Barnsley.Fit, strong and clearly eager to impress the Englishman's refreshing work ethic rubbed off on a number of his colleagues who had struggled with their own form for much of this season.

'The spirit in the camp was fantastic and we played really well. In fact, I find it hard to understand why Finn Harps are where they are in the league table,' Turner said.Saturday's victory over Waterford wasn't as clear cut as the scoreline would suggest however. Indeed, until Turner slotted home Harps second goal the home side had struggled to contain fluent, skilful opponents.

Had the visitors taken their chances, especially in the first half, Harps could well have gone into the break a goal behind but Waterford lacked the necessary composure in front of goal.Persisting with the new 3-5-2 formation employed to beat Home Farm Fingal in the Cup four days earlier, Dykes made just one change to the starting line up with Turner replacing Kevin McHugh.

It took Harps time to warm to the task at hand but with wing backs Jonathan Minnock and Tom Mohan working hard to support the midfield trio of Fergal Harkin, Dom Tierney and Patrick McGrenaghan the home side looked menacing on the break.With Waterford adopting a similar 3-5-2 formation much of the play was concentrated in the middle third of the field and, as a result, there was precious little goal mouth activity to report in the opening twenty minutes.

The first real incident of note was Harps opening goal on 22 minutes. Turner's tenacity in the tackle created an opening for James Mulligan inside the area. The striker appeared to be pulled back as he turned his marker Tim McGrath and match referee Paul McKeon duly awarded a penalty which was expertly converted by Harkin.Almost immediately Mike Flanagan replaced Tim McGrath with Derek McGrath, switching to a more attack minded 4-4-2 option, and it wasn't long before Dykes and his defensive colleagues saw more of Waterford as an attacking outfit.

Robbie Griffin released Karl Gannon in behind the Harps defence on 33 minutes but the former Shamrock Rovers striker badly dragged his shot wide of Brian McKenna's goal.Seven minutes later Stephen Grant's brilliant reverse pass put Alan Kirby in behind Minnock. He cleverly worked his way clear before firing a left foot shot across goal and wide with only the keeper to beat.The visitors continued to press hard for an equalising goal into the second half, a goal which should really have arrived on 47 minutes.

Picking up possession on the half way line Robert Griffin was allowed to run unchallenged through the heart of the Harps defence and into the penalty area before flicking a left foot shot wide of McKenna but also wide of the upright.Football is all about goals as Harps have found out in recent weeks and when the home side notched a second goal on 53 minutes the game was over as a contest.Patrick McGrenaghan and Jonathan Minnock combined well down the left and when the latter's low cross evaded both the Waterford 'keeper and a covering defender Turner was left with an empty goal at his mercy and he didn't let anyone down, netting his first goal in the National League.

Harps extended their advantage three minutes later when Harkin clinically dispatched a free kick into the corner of the net from 20 yards after Grant had been penalised for impeding Minnock.The home side completed the scoring on 77 minutes when Dave Smith, under pressure from Turner, played the ball back to his keeper and his attempted clearance went straight to Mulligan to net one of his easiest goals of the season.Dykes introduced Gerard McGranaghan and Trevor Scanlon for the last few minutes as the Harps players were allowed a rare opportunity to enjoy a comfortable winning margin.

The players were applauded as they left with pitch with Mike Turner, in particular, receiving a standing ovation. It was a welcome change of atmosphere to that which has been witnessed around Finn Park for much of this season.Victory against title contenders Cork City this weekend will do much to cement that new found enthusiasm while defeat could well see Harps fall back into the bottom three. It's been that kind of season!

FINN HARPS: Brian McKenna, John Paul Boyle, Declan Boyle, Gavin Dykes, Dom Tierney, Tom Mohan, Patrick McGrenaghan, James Mulligan, Mike Turner, Fergal Harkin. Subs: Gerard McGranaghan for McGrenaghan (82 mins) and Trevor Scanlon for Dykes (84 mins).
WATERFORD: Michael Devine, Dave Smith, John Frost, Alan Reynolds, Sean Riordan, Tim McGrath, Alan Kirby, Dave Whittle, Stephen Grant, Karl Gannon, Robbie Griffin. Suns: Derek McGrath for T McGrath (24 mins), Brendan Markey and Barry Wood for Grant and Gannon (60 mins).
REFEREE: Mr Paul McKeon (Dublin).