| Match Report |
St Patrick's Athletic continued their great start in the Airtricity League Premier Division with a 2-0 win over a toothless UCD at Richmond Park.
Christy Fagan put the Inchicore side one up after half an hour with a drilled effort and despite a deluge of chances Pat's only managed to put the result beyond doubt with 10 minutes left to play, Greg Bolger tapping in from close range.
The result keeps the Saints fourth, still just four points off Sligo Rovers' lead.
The first period was totally dominated by the home side. In fact, Paul Corry's tame second-minute sighter was the only time that Saints' goalkeeper Brendan Clarke was brought into action in 45 minutes.
Christ Forrester and John Russell were having plenty of joy on the right flank and Ciaran Nangle had to head Conor Kenna's header off the line in the 16th minute. Minutes later Greg Bolger nodded Russell's centre wide.
In addition to Pat's' industry, the Student's weren't helping themselves, and David O'Connor and Daniel Ledwith both dallied with the ball in defence and Russell and Fagan almost took advantage. Forrester also managed to get a shot off when Lyons was too casual with a backpass.
A goal looked imminent and so it proved. In the 30th minute, UCD failed to clear a corner and then left Fagan to his own devices at the back post. The striker had time to pick his spot, drilling the ball low past Mark McGinley.
And just a minute later, Fagan could and should have doubled the lead but his header flew over.
Before the half-time whistle, Forrester managed another shot on target and Bolger was just wide with a scooped effort that was almost a carbon copy of Forrester's second goal against Shamrock Rovers two weeks ago.
Martin Russell's side showed an improvement at the start of the second half and O'Connor and Ledwith both had efforts from distance. Then substitute Robbie Benson got into a good area but couldn't connect with Rusk's inside pass. UCD lacked incision in the final third.
But at the same time that they were creating half chances, the Saints were also threatening and Fagan twice shot over from tight angles and Forrester cut inside but shot wildly.
Substitute Sean O'Connor drew a save from McGinley just a minute after coming on and then Fagan managed to get clear of O'Connor but McGinley did well to smother the ex-Bohs man's shot.
Bolger then got past his marker and looked to have beaten McGinley but his shot hit the post and O'Connor was on the line to clear Dean Kelly's effort.
Eventually Liam Buckley's men put the game to rest with Bolger tapping in on 80 minutes after Forrester had weaved his way past a couple of UCD defenders.
© rte.ie St Patrick's Athletic
Brendan Clarke, Ger O’Brien, Conor Kenna (c), Kenny Browne, Ian Bermingham, James Chambers, Greg Bolger, John Russell, Chris Forrester (Darren Meenan 83), Christy Fagan (Ian Daly 76), Jake Kelly (Sean O’Connor 71). UCD
Mark McGinley, Mark Langtry, Ciaran Nangle (Robbie Benson 46), David O’Conor (c), Hugh Douglas, Paul Corry, Daniel Ledwith (Paul O’Conor, Graham Rusk Samir Belhout 80), Chris Lyons, Cillian Morrison (James Kavanagh 46). Officials
Padraig SUTTON, D.BROUGHTON, R.McMANUS, P.TUITE |
