Cork City push on in second half to beat Finn Harps on the road

Finn Harps 0 Cork City 2 

CORK City recorded back-to-back away victories for the first time this season. 

The Rebel Army were made to work hard with the hosts wasting numerous opportunities in the first half. However City were much improved in the second period and two excellent goals from Jaden Umeh and Sean Murray meant they extended their unbeaten start to 12 games.

The poor quality of the pitch was evident in the early stages, making it almost impossible for the players to keep the ball on the grass when passing. It was constantly bobbling which made it difficult to play through the thirds.

Harps were content with allowing City to have possession across their backline but despite controlling the match, it was Harps who had the best opportunities to open the scoring early in the game.

Luke O'Brien’s free-kick found the head of Matt Makinson, but the Harps’ defender failed to hit the target from close range.

From a hopeful clearance, Patrick Ferry managed to create an opening for himself but shot straight at Wade, who did well to save with his feet. From the follow-up, Greg Bolger was in the right position to prevent Sean O’Donnell from tapping into an empty net.

The pitch came to City rescue when O’Donnell managed to get to the ball before Wade on the end-line before set-up Ferry close to the penalty spot, however with the goal at his grasp, he fired over due to the bobble the ball took just before he made contact with it.

City did manage to navigate their way back into the game and finished the stronger of the sides at the end of the half. The Rebel Army never troubled Tim Hiemer in the Harp’s goal.

It was an uneventful beginning to the second half, very start-stop. There were a number of frees given away with both sides struggling to get any sort of foothold.

City took the lead through a set-piece when Bolger’s corner found the head of Sean Murray, who powdered the ball back across goal into the corner of the net. Although it was a well-worked set-piece from City, Murray still had a lot to do and it was a wonderful headed goal.

The visitors almost doubled their lead moments later, but this time the pitch came to the rescue of Harps with Bargary being robbed of an opportunity due to the several bobbles the ball took with the City player through on goal.

Jaden Umeh sealed the game for City when he forced Noe Baba into making a mistake which allowed the player a clear run on goal. With only Hiemer to beat, the 16-year-old showed great composure and calmly curled the ball beyond the keeper to score his second goal of the season.

HARPS: Hiemer; Watson, Makinson, Baba, McMonagle; Rainey (Doherty 60), O’Donnell (Johnston 86), O’Brien (Lotefa 79), McNamee, Ferry (Mbuli 79); Edogun.

CITY: Wade; Nevin (Crowley 80), Coleman, Lyons, McLaughlin: Bolger, Murray, Fitzpatrick (Skieters 80); Bargay, Wood (Umeh 60), Fitzpatrick.

Referee: M Moynihan.