0 v 1 
St. Pat's AthVideo
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 October 2021 | 7:45 pm | LOI Men's Premier Division | 2021 |
Match Report
Lewis delivers late for Pat’s
An Alfie Lewis late thunderbolt was the difference at Head in the Game Park this evening as Drogheda United lost in the last seconds to St Patrick’s Athletic 0-1.
Chances were few and far between in the first half, as Chris Forrester’s off target shot was the peak of the excitement for either set of fans.
With the game in its dying embers, and not a lot of improvement from either side in the second-half, there needed to be a moment of quality. That came as Lewis put his foot through the ball and found the top corner.
Drogs started the match pressing high and hard, looking to restrict Pats time and space on the ball. This created a frantic game in which neither side could really create an opening. The away side progressed the ball forward slowly and often had to result to a long ball or backwards pass.
When Saints wingers tried to take control of proceedings a couple of with pacy runs, the first-half’s only chance of any note was created. Chris Forrester dragged his low shot wide, not testing the Drogs ‘keeper.
A great deal of improvement was needed in the final third for both sides heading into the second-half.
That improvement wasn’t forthcoming throughout the majority of the next 45. Ronan Coughlan had the best of the chances. The forward met the cross of Darragh Burns, but could only direct his header tamely at the ‘keeper.
The Claret and Blue Army attempted to hassle and harry Pats, and created one or two promising situations. One such situation saw Killian Phillips whips a right-footed shot just past the upright.
The game looked destined for a draw, with both sides huffing and puffing in attack all night long. However, Lewis, who had been pulling the strings for the Saints, had other ideas. The busy Ben McCormack played him in on the edge of the area, and Lewis gave it everything, the ‘keeper was helpless and Pats snatched all three points.
This can give confidence to St Pat’s going forward for the European ambitions, but it’s a big kick in the teeth for Tim Clancy and Drogheda, who’s poor form continues.
Timeline
Past Meetings
Ground
| Weavers Park |
|---|
| United Park, Cross Lane, Fair Gate, The Borough District of Drogheda, County Louth, Leinster, A92DKR0, Ireland |
Jon Parkin
A master's journalism student at Birmingham City University. Jon Parkin has done interviews with numerous people from across the English football pyramid. He has also written for website My Old Man Said for over a year and a half.
Full Time: Drogheda United 0-1 St Patrick's Athletic
McCormack played in Lewis who let one rip from the edge of the area. What a hit.
Goal St Pats Alfie Lewis!!!!
Alfie Lewis turns with the ball on the edge of the area and shoots, but his shot is deflected and easily held.
Four minutes of added time.
Jamie Lennon is off for Pats.
Kyrian Nwoko is on for Pats.
Ben McCormack with a free header! He really should do better as he directs it straight at the 'keeper.
Luke Heeney is off for Drogs.
Ronan Murray is on for Drogs.
Ben McCormack picks up a yellow.
Pats are controlling the game, but Drogs are holding on. The experience of the likes of Dane Massey is proving invaluable in the defence of their clean sheet.
Coughlan and Forrester are off for Pats
King and McCormack are on for Pats.
Conor Kane picks up the first yellow of the game.
Drogheda have a short period of pressure in the Pats box. The ball is scrappily played into and out of the box, and won't fall to Lyons.
Pats have had plenty of the ball, but United are looking dangerous on the counter-attack. On top of this, Drogs are winning some dangerous set-pieces, maybe they will come back to bite Pats at some point.
James Abankwah is off for Pats after a very good performance.
Lee Desmond is on for Pats.
After Saints had a great period of play and looked to be controlling things, United have come back into it with a couple of quick attacks and a free-kick. It's still anybody's game.
Joe Redmond heads well over after meeting a free-kick.
Killian Phillips attempts a curling right-footed shot from the left side of the box, it's just wide though.
Forrester has a shot cleared off the line by as defender, as Burns plays him in in the box.
Coughlan sticks the free-kick well over.
A free-kick in a good position central for Coughlan...
Adeyemo and Clarke are off for Drogs.
Lyons and Markey are on for Drogs.
Pats have their tails up, Smith cuts inside and powers a low shot on goal. Odumosu saves with ease, but appears to be struggling with an injury.
First brilliant chance of the game, as Coughlan meets Burns' cross. The striker directs his header straight into the arms of Odumosu. So disappointing.
Jordan Adeyemo tries to burst in behind the defence and get on the end of a long pass. He's offside though, he needs to get into the game more and time his runs better.
It's business as usual in the couple of minutes. Pats are trying to patiently build up, whereas Drogs are looking to press and break.
The second-half gets underway. Both sides will hope they can make their mark on this period better than the last.
Half-Time: Drogheda United 0 - 0 St Patrick's Athletic
Killian Phillips has Drogs best chance of the half as the referee blows for half-time. He picks up on a loose ball from a free-kick, but his shot from just outside the area is well over.
Darragh Burns bombs into the box in behind the defensive line. Alfie Lewis picks him out with a lovely pass. Burns didn't time his run though, and the flag is up for offside.
As the half nears its end, there really hasn't been a lot to get excited about. Greater quality and cutting edge needed by both teams.
Matty Smith wriggles away from a challenge and into the box, his attempt to cross is on target, but Odumosu is there to claim it with ease.
Alfie Lewis is starting to pull the strings in midfield, he's picking up second balls and spreading the play nicely. Pats are showing more quality as the half continues on.
Darragh Burns takes on two or three defenders for pace down the right. He clearly wasn't confident crossing with his right foot, so attempted to scoop the ball into the box with his left, it bobbles harmlessly to the 'keeper.
Incredible recovery pace from James Abankwah as Doyle looked to sprint in behind. The young defender got across to meet the striker and nick the ball away brilliantly.
Another scrappy five minutes, Drogheda have relaxed their press, and the only event of note is a Sam Bone foul throw.
It's been a cagey first 25 minutes, one shot of any kind of danger. Someone needs to fashion a chance and take control of this game.
Ronan Coughlan is receiving treatment after a hefty challenge from O'Reilly. If the defender hadn't got the ball, then that could have been seen as reckless by the Drogs man.
Chris Forrester has the first real shot of the half, as he drags a low shot just wide of the left post, after driving inside from the right.
Matty Smith shows a bit of spark by cutting in from the left, he tries a one-two with Coughlan, but the forward can only get a toe on it as the pass trickles through to the 'keeper.
It happened again down the United left, Doyle and Clarke broke forward after a slip in defence. Thankfully for Saints they were able to recover.
Sam Bone needs some support from his winger, too often he is being overloaded, and Connor Kane is getting the chance to take on a cross or run into the box.
Pats are playing some good passes, but are progressing the ball up the pitch far too slowly. Drogs can get on top of them and stifle their movement with ease.
Paddy Barrett gives the ball away with a sloppy pass. This allows Mark Doyle a run on goal, he shapes to shoot but 17-year-old Abankwah makes a great block.
After an energetic start from United, Saints have come back into it with a short period of possession and pressure.
First free-kick of the game goes to Drogs as Sam Bone handles the ball. Barrett sees the set piece out for a goal-kick.
And we're off! There's quite the atmosphere at Head in the Game Park, both sets of fans are really going for it.
Five minutes to go before kick off. Both sides will be looking to recover from disappointing results last week, but only one can win.
One change has been made to St Pat's team for this game. Shane Griffin takes the place of Ian Bermingham. Lee Desmond also makes a return to the squad, but only on the bench.
There are three changes to Tim Clancy's side that lost to Waterford last time out. The suspended Deegan is out, along with Markey and Murray. In come Heeney, Massey and Clarke in their places.
Hello and welcome to Final Whistle's coverage of Drogheda United vs. St Patrick's Athletic. I'm Jon Parkin, and I will be covering this evening's game.