- Andrew Dempsey
- Fri, Mar 03 2023
FINN HARPS
Finn Harps welcome Bray Wanderers to Finn Park on Friday night in a bid to kickstart their stuttering start to the season (kick-off is at 8pm).
Harps have lost their opening two games of the season and are without a league win since August 2022.
But boss Dave Rogers has assembled a brand new squad this season in Ballybofey and will be hoping that his side can turn their fortunes around sooner rather than later.
And just this week he has added to his ranks with Noe Baba arriving at the club.
The former Waterford starlet has been playing in Germany for a number of the last few seasons with Lupo-Martini, Fortuna Koln and KFC Uerdingen.
And after confirming Baba’s signing Rogers said: “He will bring us valuable experience in the middle of the park as we felt this was an area where we required a touch more steel and physical presence.
“At 26, he is a prime age with a vast amount of experience both in the UK and most recently in Germany so to have Noe commit to us and be part of a new era at Finn Park is fantastic news.”
BRAY WANDERERS
Seeking their third win from three this season, Bray Wanderers come into Friday’s game against Finn Harps after a good start to the season.
The Seagulls claimed a win during their opening night assignment away to Treaty United thanks to a late Ben Feeney winner.
And they then coasted to a 3-1 win at home to Kerry in their first home league game of the season.
Former Shamrock Rovers youngster Cole Omorehiomwan scored twice from Conor Crowley’s corner-kicks while Chris Lyons also scored.
But boss Ian Ryan knows Finn Harps will be a tough test for his side on Friday night in Ballybofey.
He explained: “There is a new team there with Dave Rogers and he is a very good young manager. I am sure that he will put a really strong team together.
“But we are motoring well at the minute and will work on Harps during the week. We’ll go into it with a bit of confidence.”
Meanwhile, Bray Wanderers will be without Darren Craven and David Webster who are still nursing long-term injuries.
Referee: Paul Norton.
MATCH STATS
Finn Harps have not won a league game since August when they defeated Sligo Rovers at Finn Park in the Premier Division last season.
Ian Ryan’s Bray Wanderers have won their first two games of the season – and have conceded just once in 180 minutes of play so far.
The Seagulls won 3-0 during their last visit to Finn Park in 2017 when both teams were in the Premier Division – with Ryan Brennan, Gary McCabe and Aaron Greene all netting.
PREDICTION
Finn Harps 1 - 2 Bray Wanderers
Finn Harps
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Bray Wanderers
Injured: Darren Craven, David Webster.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
