St Patrick’s Athletic 1
Waterford FC 0
Andrew Dempsey reports from Richmond Park
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC maintained their unbeaten start to the 2021 season thanks to a routine 1-0 victory over Waterford.
It was a comfortable night at the office for the Saints who were rarely troubled by a lifeless Waterford attack throughout the 90 minutes.
Following the Saints’ draw at Oriel last time out, head coach Stephen O’Donnell made six alterations from that stalemate at the Louth venue.
Waterford not only came into the game having lost four of their last five – but also having had to issue statements over the weekend denying rumours of a dressing-room ‘bust-up’.
Their assistant manager Mike Newell was sent to the stands in the second half of tonight’s game for arguing about a player being allowed to wear white tape over red tape on his socks.
72’ Waterford assistant manager Mike Newell sent to the stands for arguing about the colour of sock tape. Saints lead 1-0
— St Patrick's Athletic FC (@stpatsfc) April 20, 2021
Kevin Sheedy’s side handed starts to Niall O’Keefe and Shane Griffin as ex-Irish international Daryl Murphy missed out through injury.
But despite Sheedy’s changes – it was the Saints who took an early lead through Darragh Burns after he was found on the edge of the penalty area by Chris Forrester before curling his shot into the back of the net, wrongfooting Paul Martin with the aid of a deflection.
It was nearly two moments later – as Shane Griffin skied his effort over the bar after he picked up on a loose ball after a strong save from Martin on Ronan Coughlan.
Pats continued to impress as the first-half wore on – and they should have doubled their lead just before the half-time break through Coughlan.
The former Sligo Rovers forward got his head on a brilliant set-piece from Burns – but Martin was able to get down to avert the danger.
The Saints remained on top in the early stages of the second-half, although they were unable to create as much as they did in the first.
The closest they went to making it two was a shot from Forrester that dribbled into the hands of Martin in the Waterford goal.
Surprisingly, despite an exciting first-half – neither side was able to threaten as much as they would have liked in the second period.
The Saints almost wrapped up all three points in the 85th minute however, but Matty Smith could only shoot wide after skipping past his man on the left-flank.
And that was how it finished, as Stephen O’Donnell’s charges remained in second spot on goal difference.
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Jaros; Burns, Desmond, Bermingham (c), Barrett; McCormack (Smith, 65), Lewis (Lennon, 82), King (Benson, h/t), Forrester, Griffin (Mountney, 53); Coughlan.
WATERFORD: P. Martin; Mascoll, Ferguson (c), Evans, Power; Griffin (Mutswunguma, 62), O’Keeffe (Stafford, 72), O’Reilly, Sobowale, Waite; J. Martin.
Referee: Graham Kelly.
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