Finn Harps land second victory in-a-row as they slot four goals past Athlone Town

A brace apiece from Patrick Ferry and Success Edogun either side of the interval handed Finn Harps a fine 4-1 win over Athlone Town at the Athlone Town Stadium on Friday evening.

This victory makes it back-to-back victories for Darren Murphy’s side following their 2-0 home win against Cobh Ramblers last week, the first time they’ve won consecutive games since the beginning of April. 

This may be a key victory for the Ballybofey side, who could be building some momentum as they close the gap to the play-offs to just four points approaching the final six games of the league campaign. 

Finn Harps got off to the dream start in this encounter, hitting the front after just two minutes of play when Patrick Ferry got on the end of a dangerous Tony McNamee set piece and headed the ball past the oncoming Lee Axworthy in the Athlone goal to give his side the lead. 

The hosts responded well after this very early setback, growing into the contest. They got the ball into the Finn Harps box on several occasions and their persistence nearly proved dividends on 23 minutes when an Aaron Connolly delivery was met by the head of Dylan Hand only to see his effort hit the bottom of the post. 

On the half-hour mark, Murphy’s men doubled their advantage. Tony McNamee found Patrick Ferry in space just inside the Athlone box and the Finn Harps forward directed the ball across goal into the bottom corner for his second of the evening, leaving the Finn Park residents with a two-goal cushion at the interval.

Harps came close to netting a third shortly after the restart. Success Edogun did well to win a free for his side. Tony McNamee stepped over the ball however, his attempt curled just wide off the post. 

The Athlone men continued to pursue the goals required to get themselves back into this contest but to no avail, and the three points for the visitors were all but secured on 75 minutes when they found their third goal of the evening. 

Success Edogun won the ball midway into the Athlone half. The Harps striker raced towards goal before cutting inside Dylan Hand and placing the ball into the bottom corner of the net. 

The hosts cut the deficit back to two on 80 minutes. Jamie Watson lost his footing when in possession deep into his own half and Gideon Tetteh was on hand to pounce on the error and convert past Oisin Cooney. 

The three-goal advantage was quickly restored though as on 82 minutes, when Harps landed a fourth. A superb ball over the top of the Athlone defence from David Cawley was taken down brilliantly by Success Edogun before firing past Lee Axworthy to cap off a fine night on the road for Darren Murphy and his outfit. 

Athlone Town: Lee Axworthy; German Fuentes Rodrigues, Joah Van Geenan, Daniel McKenna (Amardo Oakley, 74), Brian Torre; Gideon Tetteh, Dylan Hand, Aaron Connolly (Oisin Duffy, half-time), Leonardo Gaxha (Kyle Robinson, 65); Peter McGregor (Shane Forbes, 74), Dean Ebbe.  

Finn Harps: Oisin Cooney; Jamie Watson, Matty Mackinson, Noe Baba, Kevin Jordan (Luke O’Brien, 85), Max Johnston; Max Hutchinson (Bruce Strachan, 68), David Cawley (Gavin Gilmore, 85), Tony McNamee, Patrick Ferry (Gavin McAteer, 85), Success Edogun (Dylan McAteer, 89). 

Referee: Aaron O’Dowd.