Harps lack a cutting edge against Trim

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BOYNE Harps’ hopes of rescuing a disappointing season with some silverware were extinguished at United Park on Sunday as Trim Celtic booked their place in the Tully Bookmakers Challenge Cup quarter-finals.

Shane Gregory’s charges dominated virtually from start to finish in the possession stakes, but with first-choice strikers Ian Devine (cup-tied) and William Woods (injured) both unvailable, they lacked a cutting edge in the last third of the field.

What turned out to be the only goal of the game arrived on the quarter-hour mark and it stemmed from a disastrous breakdown in communication in midfield which saw two players leave the ball to each other.

A Trim player took full advantage as he stole possession and bore down on goal before slipping the ball past exposed keeper Gary Thornton.

The Meath side retreated into their shells after that, content to let Harps come at them, and Anto McGuinness headed just over the bar from a free kick.

With no breakthrough by the hour mark, Gregory pushed an extra man forward and Paddy O’Boyle, Alan Dyas and McGuinness all missed scoring chances, while the Trim keeper saved from O’Boyle and Ryan Connor.

But the longer the tie went on, the more gaps began to appear at the back and Thornton had to make two fine stops in the last few minutes to preserve his team’s hopes of forcing extra time - all in vain as it turned out.

Harps have one league match remaining, but if bottom club Rock Celtic fail to defeat Quay Celtic this Friday it will be of no consequence as the Drogheda side would then be safe from relegation.