Banda’s late aim provides Finn Harps the keys to the Kingdom

When Samuel Aladesanusi headed Kerry FC stage within the 86th minute one puzzled if Finn Harps may maintain on for a draw.

Kerry FC…1 Finn Harps…2

(Photos by Joe Boland of Northwest Newspix in Kerry)

Nevertheless, Harps substitute BJ Banda hadn’t learn that script and as typically prior to now when a winner was required the Letterkenny man produced the drama with an 94th minute winner, heading residence from shut vary to make the return journey to Donegal a lot shorter than it may need in any other case have appeared.

The 2 earlier conferences between these backside pair within the desk had each resulted in attracts and neither may very well be thought-about classics.

Kerry FC have struggled to adapt to the senior stage, choosing up only one win and three attracts of their twenty-three video games to this point ,whereas Harps new-look squad had additionally discovered the going robust.

The introduction of quite a lot of new gamers to Finn Park in latest weeks had improved Harps latest performances they usually had been hoping to construct on that regardless of the lengthy journey to the Kingdom.

Not a lot goalmouth motion within the opening twenty minutes at Mounthawk Park in Tralee, yellow playing cards for Harps Sean O Donnell and Kerry’s Cian Barrett , each for clumsy challenges.

Harps had the higher of issues after this , Kerry keeper Lee Axworthy saving nicely from a Tony McNamee free-kick and Semi Scott Wara heading simply over from the ensuing nook.

Within the thirty first minute Axworthy denied Patrick Ferry as Harps bossed possession however couldn’t break the impasse. Ferry did have the ball within the web within the thirty fifth minute however was flagged offside, it remained scoreless at half-time.

That modified in a short time after the break as the beginning of the second-half produced goalmouth motion at each ends. Kerry had the primary probability however Rory Kelly denied Sean McGrath with an excellent save.

Three minutes later Harps had been forward , who else however Ryan Flood with a superb end to make it 0-1 to Harps.

The guests continued to be the higher crew and Jamie Watson had a shot from the sting of the field blocked as they pressed for a second aim with BJ Banda and Aaron McLaughlin being launched in a bid to seek out that bounty.

Kerry FC needed to push ahead and substitute Cian Brosan went shut with a header within the 73rd minute, a warning for Harps that they wanted a second aim to shut out the sport.

They bought one other scare within the 82nd minute when Sean McGrath shot simply large however lastly paid the value for not closing out the sport within the 86th minute as Kerry FC equalised, Samuel Aladesanusi heading residence Cian Brosnan’s nook.

It now appeared a case that Harps would do nicely to carry on for the draw, with 4 minutes to be added and the wind in Kerry’s sail.
They may do higher than that although, as BJ Banda popped as much as head residence a dramatic profitable aim within the 94th minute to provide Harps all three factors, their third win in a row and a transfer up the desk simply three factors outdoors the play-off locations.
In tonight’s different Division video games , leaders Galway Utd beat Bray Wanderers 3-0 , Athlone City drew 1-1 with Waterford Utd whereas Wexford Youths beat Trearty FC 1-0.

Longford City host Cobh Ramblers tomorrow night.

Kerry FC ; Lee Axworthy , Rob Vasiu , Sean O Connell , Samuel Aladesanusi , Ethan Kos , Kevin Williams , Sean McGrath , Martin Coughlan , Cian Barrett , Leonardo Gaxha , Ryan Kelliher . Subs used ; Matt Keane , Cian Brosnan , Ronan Teahan ( all 62mins),

Finn Harps ; Rory Kelly , Semi Scott Wara , Daithi McCallion , Matthew Makinson, Jamie Watson , Max Hutchison ( Caoimhin Porter 87mins ), Ryan Flood , Tony McNamee , Stephen Doherty , Sean O Donnell ( B J Banda 69mins), Patrick Ferry ( Aaron McLaughlin 69mins),

Referee ; Jason Moore .

Banda’s late aim provides Finn Harps the keys to the Kingdom was final modified: July twenty eighth, 2023 by Employees Author