Finn Harps suffered another defeat after the long journey to Wexford last Saturday night. They went down by the odd goal in three but should have got a draw when David McDaid fired over in the closing minutes with the goal at his mercy.
Finn Harps were rocked after just six minutes when Wexford Youths took the lead. They forced a corner and captain Conor Sinnott floated it over for Gavin Doyle to meet it with a bullet-like header which flew past Ciaran Gallagher in the Harps goal.
The Twin Towns men got little change from the strong Wexford centre halves Davy Breen and Peter White and their only real effort on goal in the opening half was a tame effort by Conor Gethins on 20 minutes.
By that stage Wexford Youths should really have been 2-0 up when Gavin Doyle set up his strike partner, Shane Dempsey, on 15 minutes, slipping the ball in behind the Harps defence. Dempsey was onto the pass and slid the ball underneath the advancing Gallagher. The ball was rolling over the line but Mark Mukendi got back to hook it clear.
The most positive aspect for the visitors in the opening half was the form of Marc Brolly on the wing, causing the Wexford defence some anxious moments, but overall both central defensive units were in control for most of the opening half.
The second half brought no respite for the visitors with Ciaran Gallagher saving from Liam O'Loughlin straight from the kick-off. The Youths should have gone two up minutes later when after two corners Doyle was pulled down by Havlin but Gallagher made a great stop from Sinnott's penalty with the Wexford captain firing over the rebound.
However, when the Youths were awarded a second penalty on 58 minutes afetr Conor Sinnott was pulled down, Gavin Doyle made no mistake this time.
Harps brought in Gary Whoriskey for McGowan and pushed McDaid up front in a 4-4-2 formation and their efforts were rewarded on 63 minutes. Once again Mar Brolly was the instigator, getting down the left and his cross was met perfectly by Conor Gethins at the back post.
Sinnot had a free kick tipped over by Gallagher as Harps came raiding for an equaliser in the closing minutes. Brolly put Ruairi Harkin in but he hit the sidenetting but close to time Brolly had another cross and David McDaid took it down well, composed himself and should have scored but put his effort over the crossbar.
It was to be Harps' last chance and they had to make the long journey home empty handed.
Wexford Youths: Packie Holden, Anthony Russell, Johnny Flynn O'Connor, Davy Breen, Peter White, Conor Sinnott, Gary McCurtin (P Maguire 67), Keith Carney (Paul Rossiter 84), Liam O'Loughlin, Shane Dempsey (Marty Kelly 88), Gavin Doyle.
Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher, Ian Rossiter, Michael Funston, Johnny Havlin, Marc Mukendi, Shaun McGowan (Gary Whoriskey 62), Ruairi Harkin (Christy Connaghan), Sean Houston, David McDaid, Marc Brolly, Conor Gethins.
