SHOWING KELLER INSTINCT
Gritty Bohs end Harps unbeaten run
DIARMAID DOHERTY BOHEMIANS ended Finn Harps’ seven match unbeaten run with a gutsy win in Ballybofey last night.
Looking to bounce back from Friday’s defeat at Drogheda, Bohs started well and created a number of decent openings with Liam Burt going closest, striking the base of the post with a wonderful effort.
When they eventually made the breakthrough on 32 minutes, the goal was not without controversy.
Harps midfielder Will Seymore went down under a challenge in his own box but as the referee allowed play to continue, Bohs put the ball back in and during an almighty scramble, the ball was cleared off the line.
The ball was quickly returned into the danger area by Keith Buckley and substitute Promise Omochere flicked the ball home amid strong appeals for offside from the Harps defenders.
Just to rub salt into their wounds, Seymore was unable to continue after treatment and was replaced by Mark Coyle.
Bohs struck again four minutes before the break when Ross Tierney was brought down in the box by Kosovar Sadiki and Donegal man Georgie Kelly converted from the spot.
Harps had their chances in a lively first-half. Bohs keeper James Talbot twice came to his team’s rescue saving from Karl O’sullivan and then, just before half-time, producing a brilliant reaction stop from Barry Mcnamee after an attempted clearance came back off the Harps midfielder.
Ryan Rainey almost got Harps back into the game just before the hour when heading inches wide of the post.
But the same player was celebrating on 79 when he pounced at the back post to head home a Dave Webster cross.
The goal set up a grandstand finish as Harps pushed for an unlikely equaliser.
With almost the last action of the night, Sadiki’s header was scrambled off the line as Bohs held out to seal a valuable win.
FINN HARPS: Doherty, Webster, Boyle, Sadiki, Mceleney, Dunleavy (Owolabi 46), O’sullivan, Seymour (Coyle 34), Mcnamee, Boyd (Foley 67), Rainey. BOHEMIANS: Talbot, Lyons, Breslin, Finnerty, Buckley, Cornwall, Coote (Omochere 20), Devoy, Tierney (Feely 85), Kelly, Burt.
REFEREE: Paul Mclaughlin.