By Matthew Wilson
Finn Harps midfielder Oran Brogan stated that securing three points away to Athlone Town this Friday is vital as they seek to move up the First Division table.
Finn Harps were in action last Friday evening when they made the long journey down to Cork for a meeting with Cobh Ramblers.
Harps hit the front early in this encounter and maintained this advantage until the 65th minute mark.
However, three goals for the hosts in the space of 15 minutes flipped the game on its head and Brogan said you can’t afford to switch off like they did during this period.
“We worked on a game plan all week and for 65 mins it worked down to a tee, we created chances and we kept them out.
“Then we had ten minutes of concentration levels dipping and that can’t happen in this league. In 10 minutes you’re 3-1 down and fighting a losing battle.
“We just need to take those 65 minutes and move onto Friday. We need to start doing it for 90 because every game goes down to the wire and you can’t switch off for a minute, nevermind ten.”
Last Friday’s defeat at St Colman’s Park in Cork saw the Navenny Street club’s winless run stretch to five matches, with four losses and one draw since their last victory.
Despite the 3-1 loss to Francis Rockett’s outfit last time out, there were certainly positives from the encounter that Finn Harps can try to build on.
The first hour of the contest showed signs of promise for Kevin McHugh’s men and displayed the work that they’re carrying out on the training field.
During this difficult run of form that the club are experiencing, Brogan expressed that it’s key for them to stick together in order for them to turn their fortunes around.
“One hundred percent. We’ve regrouped this week, we were in training last night (Monday).
“We were talking about the positives and we didn’t shy away from the negatives either in conceding the goals.
‘We just need to stay together. It’s a tough period at the minute for us but as long as we stay together, keep working for each other and hopefully the supporters keep coming out then it will turn.
“The League is still tight. People will look at the results and think we haven’t won in five games but two or three wins and you’re back in the mix again.
“We need to start getting those wins on the board sooner rather than later. But you’re two or three wins from fighting for a play-off again so we just need to keep our heads down and keep working.”
The Letterkenny native started Finn Harps’ opening game of the First Division season against Athlone Town before remaining on the bench for the next four outings.
Since then, he’s enjoyed a good run of matches in the first-team, starting the side’s last 14 encounters and he’s performed well in the middle of the park.
Having suffered a serious knee injury two years ago, Brogan is in his first full season back to fitness having joined the club midway through last term.
Speaking to the Donegal News, the 23-year-old said he’s been pleased with the run of games but insists that getting results is the priority in his mind.
“I was out for the first couple of games and it’s never easy. You just try to keep everyone motivated, I’d like to think I’m an experienced player in the team
“I think it’s my job to keep everyone else going even when things mightn’t be going well for myself.
“Fortunately, I got myself back in the team away to Kerry and I haven’t looked back since. I was out two years ago with an ACL injury for a year and last season I was just back so I played six months.
“This is my first full season back since and I feel myself getting stronger and fitter as it goes on. But you want to be winning games. You can’t be happy with your own performances unless you’re getting the results because it’s a results business.
“I feel good but I’d like to be winning games too. As long as we can tie the two together then I’m happy. But I’m happy to be back in the team and hopefully people see that I’m contributing as much as I can.”
The Finn Park residents are back in action this Friday night and they face another away fixture.
Kevin McHugh’s men will make the trip to Lissywollen for a meeting with Athlone Town who occupy seventh place in the league standings, five points ahead of Finn Harps.
The pair have met twice already this term, with Ian Ryan’s side coming out on top on both occasions by a one-goal margin.
In their previous encounter, the Navenny Street club got a point taken off them late on as former player Gradi Lomboto found the back of the net in the 88th minute to earn Athlone Town all three points.
The group will be determined to end their winless run when they make the trip to the Athlone Town Stadium this Friday in a bid to commence a climb up the league standings.
Speaking ahead of the match, the Finn Harps midfielder said that a 90 minute performance is required from the team in order to pick up a vital three points.
“We have to take the positives from Cobh and we’ve to try to do that again for 90 minutes against Athlone.
“Last time we played them we conceded in the 88th minute to lose the game. Every game is as tough as each other, you can’t take the foot off the pedal at all.
“We just need to go out and win the game, there’s no two ways about it.”