HOUSTON’S A REAL DYNAMO Sean’s double sinks Seagulls
at Finn Park perfect hat-trick at the Carlisle Grounds against UCD – netting with his head and both feet. He flashed an early warning as he met a sixth minute corner but the midfielder’s headed effort was wide of the mark.
Captain Conor Kenna was alert to deny Ryan Curran four minutes later as he helped his effort off the line and there was no doubt that the hosts were fighting for their future.
Peter Cherrie’s clean sheet was retired after 12 minutes of action. Arklow man Adam Hanlon’s delivery from the dead-ball was smart and Houston showed vast improvement from his earlier effort as he bulged the net. It was the first time Finn Park had been treated to a home goal since July 8th.
It was almost a quickfire double for Harps but winger Michael Funston steered a decent opportunity wide of Cherrie’s post.
Hugh Douglas always carries an aerial threat - something perhaps to do with his GAA days – but he was thwarted by goalkeeper Ciaran Gallagher when he met a cross with his forehead.
Cherrie was also called into action as Ryan Curran showed a neat turn to create the space for a shot which arced towards the bottom corner until Cherrie intervened.
The Scot looked to be caught out when Barry Molloy’s effort from the edge of the area zipped goalwards but a strong hand denied the Harps midfielder.
Harps continued to hassle and press in the second period and they beat Cherrie for a second time early in the second period. It was Curran with the effort and although Cherrie could not repel it, the crossbar could and did.
Wanderers’ task grew more difficult midway through the second period as Houston notched again. Centre-half Keith Cowan grabbed the assist as he flicked the ball into Houston’s path and it was finished in typically calm fashion.
There was some joy for visiting fans at the sight of Ryan Brennan and Dean Kelly being introduced on the hour mark and the latter would have an almost instant impact, showing a striker’s instinct to capitalise on a defensive mix-up.
Chris Lyons was thrown into the fray in place of midfielder Darragh Noone as Harry Kenny made his intentions clear. His bravery almost got a reward as more sixes and sevens in the home defence between Ciaran Coll and Joshua Mailey saw the latter panic and come together with Kelly. Bray wanted a penalty but referee Paul McLaughlin wanted nothing to do with it.
There was almost a sting in the tail for Wanderers as Cherrie saw a kick-out closed down by substitute BJ Banda but his touch sent the ball wide. FINN HARPS: 1. Ciaran Gallagher; 2. Damien McNulty, 4. Keith Cowan, 3. Ciaran Coll, 22. Ethan Boyle; 18. Adam Hanlon, 16. Sean Houston, 6. Gareth Harkin, 7. Michael Funston; 39. Barry Molloy; 9. Ryan Curran. Subs: Joshua Mailey for Funston (70); Tony McNamee for Hanlon (82); BJ Banda for Curran (90+4). Not used: Tommy Lee McCarron, Mark Coyle, Patrick Mailey, Thomas McGonagle. BRAY WANDERERS: 1. Peter Cherrie; 2. Hugh Douglas, 21. Tim Clancy, 4. Conor Kenna, 19. Kevin Lynch; 3. John Sullivan; 10. Karl Moore, 22. Darragh Noone, 8. Mark Salmon, 16. Dylan Connolly; 17. Ger Pender. Subs: Dean Kelly for Pender (60); Ryan Brennan for Salmon (60); Chris Lyons for Noone (82). Not used: Lee Steacy, Alan McNally, Sean Harding, Jason Marks. REFEREE: Paul McLaughlin.