9th April 2010

St. Patricks Athletic v Drogheda United

Match Preview

St Pats 0 Drogs 1

Osbourne stunner takes the three points.

A stunning 93rd minute goal from Eoghan Osbourne gave the Drogs their first league win of the 2010 season after a very tight match in Richmond. This win was just the tonic we needed after Monday's difficult match with Bray. The omens we not that good. The most porous defence in the league meets the league leaders, but the reality was that the depleted Drogs showed their true team spirit in a 94 minute display where concentration was the key and determination was the deciding factor.

Our Leinster Senior Cup over Pats a few weeks ago was seen by the experts as a good effort by the full-strength Drogs against the Pats second eleven. Tonight was going to be different - Pats first team on display after their draw in Dalymount, Gary getting Pats Player of the Month Award etc etc etc, and so on ...

Joe Kendrick was ruled out after reaching four yellow cards. Brendan McGill was still ruled out through injury. Corey Tracey was thankfully back on the bench after his recent injury. So, we lined out at the back with Osbourne and King, McNally and Harris. Paul Murphy continued in goal and into the central midfield came Garreth O'Connor to partner Paul Crowley (who broke his nose on Monday night) with Mick Daly and Robbie Martin on the flanks supporting Glen and Jamie up front. On paper we looked stretched.... but as soon as we kicked off we looked like we were up for this match in a big way.

The foundation for our performance in this match was a rock-solid performance at the back, and in our second match with Pats, Garreth O'Connor was again the Drogs man of the match. On a bumpy pitch, where ball control was difficult, he made himself time and space at every opportunity. Crowley was not far behind and we denied Pats the space they needed to get their game together in the middle. The early exchanges looked promising, and Robbie Martin had a good shot saved after 5 minuted following good work on the left. Pats made determined attempts to break out of midfield and on 15 Brian King's superlative tackle on Cash snuffed out a good Pats chance.

We had long periods of midfield play with each team trying to break through and Pats had shots on 22 and 24 which we dealt well with. Harris and McNally had their best game together and the dangerous Pats attack were not having much luck down the middle. Robbie Martin, who gave a great display all round, had another shot saved on 31 and just before the half time whistle, Crowley headed over. So, we went in at half time with our goal intact after a good all round display and the big question was would our achilles heel of lack of concentration at crucial times come back to haunt us.

Well, the second half was just as absorbing as the first and all the questions we were asking about the drogs defence and teamwork were answered. We took up where we left off in the first half and pressed from the restart. On 52 Glen Fitz, who had another great game, almost latched onto the ball with Gary out of goals, but Jamie was whistled up for offside. Robbie Martin shot over on 56 and as we came to the middle point of the second half Pats pressed us back , but a magnificent McNally tackle on Guy in the box snuffed out a great chance and Pats wasted a few more chances. They forced quite a few corners and free kicks but a combination of their own uncertainty and our brilliant defending made sure that our line stayed intact.

After a period of Pats pressure, we gradually forced our way back into the game sand started to press them back. We forced a few corners and with ten minutes to go John Flood came on for Jamie Duffy. As time ran down Pats forced two corners which we clared well. Eric came on for Jamie, Richie indicated 3 extra minutes...... we got possession and the ball came to Flood on the edge of the box, who did well to shield it and he was fouled.......... and up steps Eoghan Osbourne, who had a faultless game at left back, and he drilled a bullet round the wall and into the corner of the net. What a Goal ! What a Win ! , and off we went down the road over the blue bridge with the 3 points...........

Team: Murphy, King, Osbourne, McNally, Harris, Crowley, O'Connor, Martin (E.McGill 90), Daly, Fitzpatrick, Duffy (Flood 80). Subs not used ; Skinner, Brennan, Treacy