League Report: St. Patrick's Athletic 4 - 0 Athlone Town
Credit:
St Patrick’s Athletic made bottom of the table Athlone Town pay for their errors as they ran out comfortable 4-0 winners at Richmond Park on Friday night.
After a positive start for both sides, Athlone's Kealan Dillion and Philly Gorman let the heat get to them by ballooning two shots over the bar, allowing viable chances go to waste. Next, Chris Forrester, following his remarkable goal at Drogheda on Monday, must have thought he was about to score again for St Pats after Sean Hoare knocked the ball down to him from a corner. But his close range effort was scrambled away by the Athlone rearguard.
Nonetheless Pat's made the breakthrough on 11 minutes after Keith Fahey's perfectly weighted pass found James Chambers, who rifiled a right footed shot into the far corner of Craig Sexton's goal.
Athlone were by no means shying away from the physical aspects of the game with Alan Byrne, Derek Prendergast and Barry Clancy getting stuck in. And Sean Hoare nearly let the visitors back into the game when he was put under pressure by Sean Brennan but would have been relieved to see a free out awarded.
The home side were 2-0 up just before half time after great work from Forrester created an opportunity for Chris Fagan to finish off with ease.
Despite dominating the second-half Pats were struggled to get past a dogged Athlone defence in the second period withHoare, Fagan and Lee Lynch all spurning opportunities. However, with 70 minutes played, Athlone's defence crumbled under the increasing pressure, with two quick fire goals finding their way past Sexton.
Firstly, Lynch capitalised on a defensive mix-up after a back pass wasn't dealt with and the Pat's man walked it into the unguarded net with Sexton stranded. And the fourth was smashed home by Fagan who could easily have had a hat-trick on the night.
St Patrick's Ath: Brendan Clarke; Ger O'Brien, Sean Hoare, Kenny Browne, Ian Bermingham; Conan Byrne (Conor McCormack 80), James Chambers (Killian Brennan 78), Keith Fahy (Greg Bolger 70) Lee Lynch, Chris Forrester; Christy Fagan.
Subs not used: Pat Jennings (gk), Derek Foran, Lorcan Fitzgerald, Daryl Kavanagh.
Booked: None.
Athlone Town: Craig Sexton; Kealon Dillon (Ian Sweeney 73), Derek Prendergast, Conor McMahon, Barry Clancy; Alan Byrne; Graham Rusk, James O'Brien, Mark Hughes, Sean Brennan (Jason Marks 55); Philip Gorman.
Subs not used: Paul Skinner (gk), Declan Brennan, Michael Monaghan, Conor Marlow.
Booked: Clancy (25), Prendergast (32), Gorman (65), O'Brien (66).
Referee: Paul McLaughlin
Attendance: 1,257
Man of the match: Christy Fagan (St Patrick's Ath)
