Finn Harps -v- Wexford Youths

• Simon O'Gorman
• Sat, Mar 24 2012




 

FINN HARPS

Finn Harps welcome Wexford Youths to Finn Park on Saturday night looking for their second win of the season. So far Peter Hutton’s side have lost their two away games, against Limerick and Athlone, but have taken full points at home having beaten Mervue in a seven goal thriller a fortnight ago.

 

The Harps boss will again be without defender Keith Cowan who was hurt in the season opener at Jackman Park, while attacking midfielder Stephen O’Donnell is also a doubt having failed to make it through the 90 minutes in either of the club’s previous two games.

 

Having conceded seven goals in their opening three games, Harps will be looking for their first clean sheet of the season on Saturday night, against a side that put six past Waterford United on the opening night.

 

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Shane Keegan took his Wexford Youths side north to Finn Park a day early this weekend, allowing his players to take to the field without having to endure a long bus journey prior to kick-off. “the lads will get a good nights sleep and we will do a few things Saturday to keep them entertained before the game”, said Keegan.

 

However, he will be sending his men out without captain Danny Furlong who is suspended. Wexford will also be without Craig Wall, who still has a cast on his arm, and Eric Molloy, who has returned to training but is not yet fit enough to play.

 

Speaking about his opponents, Keegan stressed Harps’ good start to the season, saying “They had an exciting win in 4-3 win over Mervue Utd, they only lost by a goal to Limerick which was very impressive and then they probably had their first poor performance of the season last week against Athlone... With the improvements we are making we’d hope to be on a par with them and be in or around the same levels, so it will be an interesting game with regards to seeing how good we are”.

 

Referee: Conor Fitzgerald.

 

MATCH STATS

Finn Harps have lost only one of their last five home league games, going down 2-1 to Longford Town towards the end of last season, and have scored eight goals in their last two league outings at Finn Park.

 

Wexford’s last away defeat came at Finn Park when they lost 4-1 in October of last year. But the Youths haven’t won on their travels since they beat Waterford United 1-0 last July.

 

Last season Finn Harps won two of the three league meetings between the sides, but lost the first of those three games at Finn Park on May 6th, Peter Hutton and Felix Healy’s first game in charge of the club.

 

BETTING

Finn Harps 11/10; Draw 11/5; Wexford Youths 9/4.

 

PREDICTION

2-2

 

Harps Injury News: Keith Cowan (ankle), Stephen O’Donnell (doubt - medial ligament)

Harps Suspension News: None.

 

Wexford Injury News: Craig Wall, Eric Molloy.

Wexford Suspension News: Danny Furlong.