Gradi Lomboto rescues a point for Finn Harps against Wexford

Gradi Lomboto scored his first Finn Harps goal to rescue a point against Wexford at Finn Park.

With Harps trailing after Calum Flynn scored an early cracker for Wexford, Lomboto came off the bench to earn Harps a share of the spoils with a 71st minute goal.

Gavin Gilmore, with his first involvement having only just been introduced to proceedings, danced past Ryan Kelly on the right-hand side. Gilmore whipped in a dangerous cross and Lomboto rose to flick a delightful header to the Town End net.

Lomboto, a graduate of the Galway United academy, recently signed a contract extension at Harps and this was the attacker’s first senior goal in the League of Ireland.

Lomboto’s goal gave Harps a renewed energy and the volume went up from the 703 in attendance, but they were unable to find a winner.

Wexford, managed by former Republic of Ireland international Stephen Elliott - who cut an animated figure in the technical area throughout - have had indifferent spells this season, but arrived in Ballybofey sitting in the division’s fourth spot.

Just over four minutes in, Flynn opened the scoring. The 19-year-old took receipt of a long ball across from the left-hand side. Flynn did enough to step inside Joel Thompson and a cracking left-footed effort flew to the top corner beyond Oisin Cooney.

Flynn tried his luck from a similar position in the 24th minute, but whizzed over the top. It was, nevertheless, a further warning shot for Harps.

Without the guile of suspended captain Tony McNamee and the experience of Conor Tourish, who is on the injury list, it was a young Harps side that took to the park. 

At 27, right-back Mikey Place was the oldest player named by manager Kevin McHugh in a side that had an average age of just 20. Wexford’s own age profile wasn’t much older, averaging 21.

That included a first start for Shaunie Bradley - son of former Harps star Shane Bradley - lining out alongside his cousin Joel Bradley Walsh and Ballybofey youngster Seaghan McCormick made his maiden appearance on the match day squad.

Harps did threaten when Aaron McLaughlin managed to get into position after 20 minutes, but his low shot was gathered by Wexford ‘keeper Alex Moody.

It was a frustrating opening for Harps, who felt on the wrong end of referee Lucas Keating in the opening passage, particularly when Bradley was hauled down, but the man in the middle awarded the visitors a free.

Bradley slammed the ball to the net in the 27th minute, but an offside flag drew considerable ire from the Harps bench.

Moody was called into action again on the half-hour, but saved well from Josh Cullen’s powerful effort.

Cullen and Harps team-mate Gavin McAteer have just returned from international duty in Croatia with the Republic of Ireland U17s, with Wexford full-back Ryan Butler also on that trip. 

Harps went close to a leveller five minutes into the second half. McLaughlin skipped past Moody, but the covering Ryan Kelly - on as a half-time substitute - was on hand to hook to safety. 

Moments later, McLaughlin turned provider for Gavin Hodgins, but his first-timer was routinely gathered.

Lomboto came on to be the hero of the night for Harps, but the play-off positions are eight points from Harps’ reach.

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Finn Harps: Oisin Cooney; Mikey Place (Gradi Lomboto 64), Max Hutchison, Joel Bradley Walsh, Joel Thompson; Josh Cullen, Kevin Jordan; Aaron McLaughlin (Gavin Gilmore 70), Gavin McAteer, Gavin Hodgins (Adam McDaid 87); Shaunie Bradley.

Wexford: Alex Moody; Ryan Butler, Josh Lyons, Dean Larkin, James Crawford; Calum Flynn, Darragh Levingston (Ryan Kelly h-t), Kaylem Harnett (Kyal Byrne h-t), Mikie Rowe; Zayd Abada; Aaron Dobbs. 

Referee: Lucas Keating.