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February 7, 2002

2001/2002 Match Report #4

eircom National League First Division

Waterford United

Finn Harps

Date	12/08/2001
Score (Blues First)	3 - 4
Venue	RSC, Waterford
Kick Off	7.30pm
Attendance	650
Weather	Cold + rain
Referee	P Tuite
Goal Scorers	Whittle K, Bradley, Breen
Cards	Yellow: Fitzgerald W
Pitch	Looked super from stand

As Villa schoolgirls were representing munster in All Ireland in Limerick I was unable to make the match so again a guest writer helps me out.

Player	Rating	Comment
Fennelly	6	Not at his best, made a few dodgy saves
Leahy	6	Struggled with pace of Left winger
Frost	6	Caught out for some goals
Cashin	7	Showed his class
Breen	7	Did well throughout, good goal
Whittle D	6	Solid, made some good clearances
Moore	6	Played on left wing didnt suit him
O'Brien K	6	Poor first half on right wing, improved at full back
Bradley	8	Work tirdlessly, held up ball well and created a few chances
Whittle K	7	Scored our first goal, but seemed to disappear after this
Fitzgerlad T	6	Tried hard, will need time to adjust to league
SUBS
Watson	6	Had two great chances to win game
Fitzgerald W	6	Did well
O'Brien A	5	Harsh lesson learned ultimatley his fault for winning goal

After being relegated last season Finn Harps had it all to prove against the Blues. The last time we met in the Premier Division it is fair to say Harps gave us a lesson in football as they beat us twice in the RSC. With three preseason friendlies behind us it was interesting to see how the new look Blues would get on in a league match.

Finn Harps started the stronger and took the game to Waterford who seemed to be out of shape with Leahy and O'Brien down the right and Moore playing left wing. The usual reliable Fennelly seemed nervous and hesitant between the posts, while PP still struggled to replace Reynolds in Midfield. harps deservly took the lead when Frosty dummied a cross from the by line, to see it blasted home from close range. Mistakes were the order of the day after this, with the defence leaking four goals. kevin Whittle took his goal well as did the impressive Bradley and the Blues new captain David Breen added the third. But after creating some good chances with the score at three all, an injury time error cost us dear.

As with last season we now have to play catch up, we can not let teams get to far away this season remember the end in Athlone as we looked backed on points dropped and our hearts breaking. Two away games next and the visit of the Cats to the RSC, must result in seven points. Lets hear it for the Blues.