Finn Harps.........................1
Bohemians........................3
FINN Harps suffered their second defeat in succession to Bohemians in the A Championship when the Dubliners came away from Finn Park with the points following a three-one win on Saturday that has them two points clear of Sean 'Wizard' McGowan's team at the half-way point in the season.
The young Harps put in a good display on Saturday, though they were undone by bad defending that saw them fall to a defeat, Scoreless at the break, the game swung in the 'Gypsies' favour fifteen minutes into the second half when a long ball over the top caught the defence off guard and the striker finished well.
Fifteen minutes from time, the hosts were found wanting again when Bohs broke through for a carbon copy of their opener to place Harps very much on the back foot.
The game was put beyond their reach when sloppy marking allowed Bohs to score a third from a corner soon after.
Harps pulled one back when Barry Tourish connected with a through ball by Anthony Doherty and his effort was knocked into the net by a Bohs defender.
Christy Connaghan had the chance to score a second, but the Bohs 'keeper was out bravely to save. The 'keeper had to be stretchered off following a collision with the Harps attacker.
McGowan has said that his young team must cut out the defensive errors if they are to challenge in the second half of the season.
"I thought we were the better side, but the first goal was a really bad one to give away. Bohs had offered nothing at that stage and then they were ahead.
"We had totally dominated the first half chances wise, but we missed three or four very good opportunities," said the Harps chief.
"I said to the players that the first goal was going to be crucial and unfortunately for us it was Bohs who scored it."
Alan Gethins had a chance to draw level, but he somehow volleyed over from six yards after connecting with a Fintan Bonner cutback while Paddy Bonner shot into the 'keepers hands after a great move by the home side.
"It is very disappointing that in the two games we have played against Bohs in the last fortnight, we have conceded seven goals and we have probably played as good as we have all year," said McGowan.
"Mistakes have cost us dearly and you can't win Leagues giving away the type of goals that we did, especially against sides like Bohs.
"We have a smashing squad, but the players have got to realise the importance of individual mistakes. We need to get back to the position of having a mean defence.
"Although the Bohs manager said that the scoreline didn't reflect on the game, that's not the type of reward you want. At the end of the day, we need to develop a meaner streak and change what has gone wrong in the last two games."
Austin Friel was given a run-out, but had his participation ended with an ankle injury, though the striker was only taken off as a precaution and should be okay for first-team duty this week.
