Dutch striker Hans Mpongo bagged a debut goal as Finn Harps advanced to the next round of the Sports Direct FAI Cup.
Mpongo, just two minutes after having a penalty save, marked his first goal in Harps’ colours after Gradi Lomboto broke the deadlock in the first half as Harps saw off UCD at Finn Park.
Kevin McHugh’s new number 9 endeared himself to the Harps faithful with a 53rd minute goal, while Tony McNamee added a third in front of a crowd of 559.
Harps hit the front in the 30th minute when Lomboto continued his good recent streak. Lomboto lashed home from 20 yards after Idir Zerrouk was blocked. Lomboto’s super left-footed strike flew past Dara Kavanagh for his fourth goal in seven games.
Harps were handed a massive chance to double the advantage five minutes into the second half. Zerrouk was clattered by UCD ‘keeper Kavanagh as he chased a long ball and referee Neil Doyle pointed to the spot.
Kavanagh atoned for the foul as he leaped to his right-hand side save Mpongo’s penalty.
However, within two minutes of the save Mpongo was wheeling away to celebrate his first Harps goal. Mpongo’s effort from inside the penalty area took a deflection on its way, but there was no doubt that it was the Deventer-born attacker’s goal and he was given a warm reception when replaced by Gavin Hodgins in the 78th minute.
Gradi Lomboto in possession for Finn Harps against UCD
Just after the hour, Mpongo surged clear, but was thwarted by Kavanagh, who raced out save, but McNamee put the game firmly beyond UCD’s reach.
The Harps captain dinked to the Town End net after Kavanagh parried away from Mpongo’s initial shot.
Harps handed a first appearance to Mpongo, the 22-year-old whose arrival was only confirmed hours before kick-off.
Most recently of Rijnvogels, in the fourth tier of Netherlands football, Mpongo had scored nine goals in 22 appearances before being recruited by Harps.
Mpongo almost made an instant impact. There were just 75 seconds gone and many of the home support were still filing through the turnstiles when Mpongo whizzed a dangerous attempt over the UCD crossbar at the River End.
Mpongo carved out another chance moments later, but a brave block by Eanna Clancy came to the Students’ rescue.
Finn Harps ‘keeper Corey Sheridan catches a cross in the penalty area
A lively opening continued when, in the sixth minute, Lomboto fired a dangerous ball across the penalty area. McNamee was unable to connect and Mpongo was too far advanced to get on the end of it.
Mpongo and Josh Cullen came into the Harps team with Gavin McAteer dropping to the bench and Mikey Place injured.
UCD, managed by Buncrana man William O’Connor, showed two changes to the side that began a 3-1 win over Harps at Belfield seven nights earlier.
In came Sam Norval and Colin Bolton with Brian McManus out and Sean Brennan having transferred to Bray Wanderers during the week.
Four minuets before half-time, Harps might have extended the lead, but Kavanagh saved from a Conor Tourish header and, in added time at the end of the opening period, Oran Brogan riffled too high.
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With Mpongo and McNamee adding the second-half goals, Harps – who saw sub Gavin Hodgins blast off target late on – are safely into the draw for the next round with young Harps net minder Corey Sheridan keeping another clean sheet – a fifth in six games for the Ballyshannon teenager.
Finn Harps: Corey Sheridan; Josh Cullen, Conor Tourish, Joel Bradley-Walsh, Kieran Cooney (Daniel Cunningham 90); Max Hutchison, Oran Brogan (Adam McDaid 84); Gradi Lomboto (Shaunie Bradley 90), Tony McNamee (Gavin McAteer 78), Idir Zerrouk; Hans Mpongo (Gavin Hodgins 78).
UCD: Dara Kavanagh; Colin Bolton, Carl Lennox (Kyle Donoghue 84), Eanna Clancy, Adam Wells; Ciaran Behan; Michael McCullagh (Louis Dignam 63), Jake Doyle, Sam Norval (Adam Verdon 54), Adam Brennan (Odhran McLaughlin 63); Michael Raggett (Hugh Smith 54).
Referee: Neil Doyle.
