Finn Harps 1 Drogheda Utd 3:RELEGATION STRUGGLERS Finn Harps failed to take advantage of a game in hand on their rivals at the foot of the Premier Division last night when they slumped to defeat against a rampant Drogheda United.
Drogheda had been embroiled in controversy during the week when they suspended captain Stuart Byrne, but that didn't affect their performance, and, after they had survived a couple of early scares, they had the game wrapped up by the 33rd minute.
The game changed in the 18th minute when a hesitant Harps defence failed to clear from the edge of their box ,and when the ball fell to Eamon Zayed he turned smartly to rattle home a shot past the helpless James Gallagher.
Ollie Cahill's powerful run carved the home defence open again in the 22nd minute, and when he rolled the ball across the face of the goal Guy Bates had the simple task of tapping in from close range.
It got worse for Harps in the 33rd minute when Zayed grabbed his second when he pounced at the near post to steer home Dessie Baker's cross.
Stephen Parkhouse forced Jamie Ewings into a good stop in the 64th minute, but seconds later Harps were down to 10 men when midfielder Neil McCafferty was sent off for a second bookable offence.
The home side did pull a goal back in the 68th minute when Parkhouse converted from the penalty spot after Chris Breen had been upended, and then Breen forced a good stop from Ewings in the 73rd minute.
But despite a brave display in the last 10 minutes, Drogheda held on for a comfortable win.
FINN HARPS:Gallagher; Labonte, Holmes, Minnock (Boyle 77), Mukendi; McGowan, McCafferty, Tyrell (Brolly 83), Funston; Breen (Friel 86), Parkhouse.
DROGHEDA UTD:Ewings; Shelly, Maher, Gartland, Kendrie; Baker (Barrett 75), Robinson, Keegan, Cahill; Zayed, Bates (O'Brien h-t).
Referee:D Tomney (Dublin)
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