King strikes twice to seal fourth win of campaign for Mervue Utd

Date Published: {J}

Mervue United 2

Finn Harps 1

Mervue Utd recorded their fourth win of the campaign as they overcame Finn Harps for the second time this season in Fahy’s Field on Friday night. A goal in each half from winger Tom King moved his side back to sixth in the First Division table as Finn Harps remain winless and slip to bottom of the table.

The first half an hour was devoid of scoring chances as both set of defences were on top. The first shot on target finally arrived on 31 minutes as Mervue left-back Dan Cunningham strode forward with the ball before cutting inside and firing an effort goalwards, but Harps keeper Ciaran Gallagher gathered comfortably.

The home side hit the front nine minutes before the break after winning a corner on the right. Midfielder Mark Ludden floated the ball towards the near post and King arrived in a crowded goalmouth to head the ball past Gallagher for his third goal of the season.

Two minutes before the break and Ger Hanley did well, blocking a Garbhan Friel close-range header following a Christy Connaghan free-kick into the box, as the home side held their lead at the break.

That was to be keeper Hanley’s final action of the game as he picked up a shoulder injury and was replaced at the break by TJ Forde, who was making his Airtricity League debut.

Gallagher got down well to parry a low curling Cunningham free-kick on 50 minutes, but the visitors drew level five minutes later as Mark Brolly’s right wing free-kick evaded everybody in the box before nestling in the net for only Harps second goal in nine games.

Good play between Cunningham and Molloy on 62 minutes set up Mike Tierney who showed excellent control in the box before curling an effort just over the crossbar with Gallagher beaten.

A good run by Rory Gaffney eight minutes later saw him beat two defenders before advancing into the box but he pulled his low effort wide of Gallagher and the far post. At the other end Tommy Bonner headed a good delivery from Brolly wide of the post, while Garbhan Friel headed a Mark Forker corner badly wide following a free header on 73 minutes.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.