Billy King strikes for Saints to sink Drogheda at death (original) (raw)
Updated / Saturday, 27 Mar 2021 18:58
St Patrick's Athletic players mob Billy King after his winner
A last-minute winner from substitute Billy King saw St Patrick's Athletic edge out Drogheda United and move joint-second in the Premier Division table.
Stephen O’Donnell’s side built on a positive display in the opening-day draw at champions Shamrock Rovers and the Saints just about deserved the three points for a dominant second-half performance.
Still, it appeared to be history repeated for the Athletic, who had let a second-half lead slip in Tallaght and looked to have done so again when Dinny Corcoran notched against the run of play.
Rónán Coughlan's first goal in red and white just before the hour looked to have Pats coasting but a mistake from Vitezslav Jaros handed Drogheda a route back into the game.
It was a match much-defined by the weather conditions, with a strong wind and intermittent showers making life difficult for both sets of players.
Saints settled into the game earliest and Chris Forrester tested Drogs keeper David Odumoso with an early shot, before Mark Doyle did likewise with Jaros at the other end.
With the wind at their backs in the second half, the home side took control and should have hit the front within two minutes of the restart.
Coughlan’s through-ball was deflected into the path of Robbie Benson, he spun his man and, with just Odumosu to beat from eight yards, the former Dundalk man thrashed at his effort.
The pattern was set, however, with Jay McClelland forcing Odumosu into a smart stop moments later before Matty Smith again drew a save with a rasping low shot.
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The opening goal arrived at the end of another sustained period of Pats pressure, though Drogheda complained that the game wasn’t stopped as ex-Saint Darragh Markey was injured.
Pats played the whistle, however, and got their reward when McClelland whipped in an inviting low cross and Coughlan beat Dane Massey to stab home from close range.
Drogheda boss Tim Clancy introduced former Saint Dinny Corcoran for the final quarter and the prolific striker got off the mark for the season within two minutes of his introduction.
On-loan Liverpool goalkeeper Jaros dropped what looked a routine save from Mark Doyle and Corcoran’s fox-in-the-box instincts ensured he was alert to slide home the loose ball.
The concession seemed to shake the home side, who had been well on top until then, and they took time to work their way back into the game.
And they got their reward as the clock ticked towards 90, the two substitutes linking up as Darragh Burns picked out King at the back post to volley home a winner.
St Patrick’s Athletic: Vitezslav Jaros; John Mountney, Sam Bone, Lee Desmond, Shane Griffin (Ian Bermingham 45+2); Jamie Lennon, Chris Forrester, Robbie Benson (Billy King 80); Matty Smith, Jason McClelland (Darragh Burns 71), Rónán Coughlan.
Drogheda United: David Odumosu; James Brown, Daniel O’Reilly, Dane Massey, Conor Kane; Gary Deegan, Jake Hyland (Hugh Douglas 90+3), Darragh Markey (Brandon Bermingham 67); Ronan Murray, Mark Doyle, Chris Lyons (Dinny Corcoran 67).