New signing who had been playing in Spain and ex-Derry player on target as Harps win to boost promotion hopes

Finn Harps took on Longford Town in tonight's important SSE Airtricty League Division One clash in Ballybofey. It finished: Finn Harps 3, Longford Town 0 New signing Oluwatunmise (Timmie) Sobowale scored on his debut as Finn Harps boosted their chances of getting promotion with this important win over Longford Town at Finn Park. Substitute Nathan Boyle - who recently joined the Donegal club from Derry City - headed them ahead on the stroke of half-time and Mikey Place added the second with a penalty on the hour. Sobowale (below) - a former Waterford player who had been playing in Spain - got the third to seal the issue as Harps now go third in the table. Having been cleared to play just hours before the game, Sobowale started in midfield for Harps. Indeed, he went close to scoring on 27 minutes but his shot was saved by the legs of Mike Kelly. Australian Jacob Borg, who has been capped by Malta, also made his first appearance for the club. In-form striker Place forced Kelly into an early save as Harps began the game positively. But chances were at a premium in the first quarter. Harps were forced to make an early substitution with recent arrival Boyle coming on for the injured Jesse Devers after just 13 minutes. Longford had a real opportunity to open the scoring on the half hour mark but Karl Chambers blazed over the target. And on 35 minutes Harps had another scare when a Dylan McGlade free was deflected out for a corner. But Harps took the lead in stoppage time of the first half as Boyle rose to head home as he met a Borg cross from the left to delight the majority in what was a disappointing attendance given the importance of the game, and the fact that it was a fine evening and there was no clash with any World Cup match on television. Harps had a glorious chance to double their lead within 90 seconds of the restart but Place fired wide from a decent position. However, on 59 minutes Harps were awarded a penalty after Ciaran Coll was fouled and Place duly stepped up to despatch the spot-kick in some style with a thumping shot into the top left corner. Longford pushed forward and Dean Dillon had a shot blocked by Keith Cowan. But Harps struck with a third on 76 minutes as Place surged into the box following a corner taken short and his precise ball into the six yard box was turned home by Sobowale. Sobowale was given a standing ovation when he was taken off shortly afterwards. Harps produced one of their best second half performances of the season and were good value for their win. Finn Harps: Ciaran Gallagher, Aidan Friel Ciaran Coll, Jacob Borg, Keith Cowan, Jesse Devers, Tommy McBride, Mark Timlin, Mikey Place, Sam Todd, Oluwatunmise (Timmie) Sobowale. Sub: Boyle for Devers (13 mins), Mark Coyle for Friel (73 mins), John O'Flynn for Sobowale (80 mins). Longford Town: Mick Kelly, Shane Elworthy, Tristan Noack Hofmann,DeanSambra, Craig Walsh, Dean Dillon, Daniel O'Reilly, Aodh Dervin, Karl Chambers, Dylan, McGlade, Mick McDonald. Subs: Darren Meenan for Chambers (half-time), Chiis Mulhall for Zambra (64 mins), Referee: Damien Mac Graith.