Finn Harps secured their second win in Group 1 of the new FAI National League with an easy 8-0 victory over Longford Town at City Calling Stadium on Sunday.
Kevin McHugh’s boys looked the brighter from the off and took the lead on the 11th minute when a first time Gavin McGee cross was met by the head of Stephen Black who guided the ball into the bottom corner.
Harps doubled their advantage 15 minutes later when an in-swinging Jack Murphy corner deceived the Longford goalkeeper falling to Luke Rudden who applied a calm finish.
Harps asserted their dominance from the beginning of the second half when Jack Murphy found Daniel Gildea inside the box, who composed himself to fire high past the goalkeeper.
Rudden added Harps fourth goal shortly after when he raced on to a Carlos O’Reilly through ball before slipping the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper. Rudden didn’t have long to wait to complete his hat trick as just three minutes later he rounded off a fantastic Harps move as he tapped in from a Conor Black cross.
Harps found the net for the sixth time in rather fortuitous circumstances as Conor Blacks low cross was turned into his own net by a Longford Town defender.
Conor Black again had a hand in the seventh goal as he broke clear down the left hand side before crossing to Jamie McDaid who was denied by the Longford keeper though the ball spilled to Daniel Gildea who made no mistake in finishing.
The final goal came in the last minute when Conor Black pounced on hesitant Longford defending to race through and deftly knock the ball past the keeper into the empty net for a deserving goal for the winger.
Next up for Harps is a home derby match against Derry City.
