Champions League Report: FC BATE Borisov 2 - 1 Dundalk

Despite defeat, a positive performance from Dundalk and an away goal means this tie is still very much alive as it heads back to Oriel Park next week. It finished 2-1 at the Borisov Arena in Belarus after a closely contested and highly entertaining match.

There was cautious optimism from the Dundalk fans going into this game. Cautious because optimism in Europe can sometimes hurt you. They’ve watched their side grow and come to boss their way to the top of the Airtricity League, but Europe is a different affair. An encouraging away win in the Europa Cup to Hadjuk Split last year was something to aspire to, but this was a somewhat tougher assignment for the Lilywhites, taking on group-stage regulars BATE Borisov.

The 2-1 scoreline didn’t represent a fortuitous result, Dundalk didn’t need luck or optimism just their usual positive approach. The Town took the game, their game, to BATE Borisov and matched them throughout the game in virtually every department.

The Lilywhites had a shaky start and took a time to settle into the passing game that Oriel regulars have become so accustomed to admiring and it was in the 11^th that BATE took a precious lead.

Fears that BATE had another gear they could change into dissipated as Dundalk went on to dominate the remainder of the first half. They had an excellent chance to equalise through a David McMillian header which forced a good save from ‘keeper Chernik unfortunately McMillian just couldn’t keep his rebound down with the empty net at his mercy.  Minutes later Dane Massey would rattle the post as Dundalk pressed for an equaliser.

McMIllan was alert and opportunistic when his next chance came Richie Towell’s attempted shot pinballed off a BATE defender at the edge of the box, Horgan reacted quickly to thread the loose ball in for McMillian who slotted home in a one-on-one. The equaliser was little more than Dundalk deserved  

In the build up to BATE’s second goal, the home fans grew restless and there were jeers and whistles from fans who had maybe thought this would be a more straightforward affair. The jeering was quelled by a rather innocuous shot from outside the box: Yabinoski’s effort took a deflection off Chris Shields which wrongfooted Gary Rogers enough for it to roll tamely into the net. It happened so slowly it took the home fans a second to realise a goal had actually been awarded.

Conceding just before half time can be a real body blow and credit to Dundalk, with the Yellow and Blues leading again, they didn’t adopt their game they played out the second half looking for an equaliser. Despite trailing there’s no doubt that the Dundalk players would go into the dressing room with their heads held high and confidence they could take the game to their opponents.

The Lilywhites didn’t eke out as many opportunities in the second half. The balance of power shifted in favour of the home team who had the better exchanges  in this 45minutes, but the Lilywhites looked composed at the back and were able to cope with anything that was thrown at them.

If the BATE fans let off their team when they went in front, a renewed urgency set in when it seemed to dawn that Dundalk’s away goal, and the promise of an away trip to Ireland meant that their lead wasn’t insurmountable. This manifested itself in a more direct style from BATE who elected to play it long, but accurately, in the closing stages.

This was coupled with frustration and occasional bouts of ill-discipline: Dane Massey was grappled by the neck and Richie Towell was body slammed when they attempted to stand over set pieces in the closing stages. Neither warranted anything more than a warning, and in the latter case a yellow card for both players involved, in the eyes of Serbian referee Vlado Glodjovic . Dundalk are also looking into an off the ball head-butt that occurred after the second goal. Let there be no doubts, BATE realised Dundalk weren’t there to make up numbers.

Huff and puff as the Yellow and Blues might, Dundalk held on through the four minutes of injury time. It’s the half way point of this tie and by the looks of it there is still everything to play for. At the risk of mixing metaphors; BATE hold the advantage but Dundalk are next to serve.

The second leg will be played in Oriel Park on Wednesday the 22^nd of July at 7:45pm.

BATE Borisov: Chernik; Zhavnerchik, Dubra, Milunovic, Mladenovic; Yabionski; Gordeichuk (Rios 80), Karnitski, Baga (Nikolic 64), Stasevich; Rodionov.

Subs not used: Soroko, Gaiduchik, Aleksiyevich, Signevich, Volodko.

Yellow Cards: Yablonski (84). Karnitski (86).

Dundalk FC: Rogers; Gannon, Gartland, Boyle, Massey; Mountney (Meenan 70), O'Donnell, Shields, Towell, Horgan (Byrne 88); McMillan (Finn 77).

Subs not used: Sava, Grimes, Barrett, Kelly.

Yellow Cards: Towell (86).

Referee: Vlado Glodjovic (Serbia).

Attendance: 11,300 (estimate).

ExtraTime.ie Man of the Match: Dane Massey (Dundalk).