Friendly: Dundalk 0 - 1 Chelsea XI

Dundalk were defeated one goal to nil by a Chelsea XI on Tuesday night in what turned out to be a typical friendly match at Oriel Park. Patrick Banford’s 83rd minute strike was the difference between the sides. Dundalk may feel a little aggrieved not to have held out for a draw as they matched their more illustrious opponents for most of the game and probably even had the better chances.

Dundalk had Stephen Maher in midfield and Michael Schlingerman of Drogheda United as a guest goalkeeper. Otherwise it was almost a full strength side with only Gary Shanahan, John Mountney and Mark Griffin on the bench. Chelsea featured Dutch under-17 international Nathan Ake, the impressive George Saville, Blues under-21 captain Todd Kane and Irish underage international Patrick Bamford

Chelsea started the brighter as they assumed possession straight from the kick-off. They had their first effort on goal on 4 minutes when Eoghan Osbourne was caught in possession by Patrick Bamford and he laid it off to Billy Clifford but his shot went narrowly over. Dundalk got into the game quickly and on seven minutes Mark O’Brien picked up on a loose ball but his cross turn shot was easily saved by Chelsea net minder Mitchell Beeney.

George Saville had a long range shot for Chelsea but it went well wide of the Dundalk goal. Chris Reilly managed to get a shot away for Dundalk after some good work by Mark O’Brien but his shot never troubled Beeney. Dundalk then had the best effort of the first half after 20 when Michael Rafter hit a powerful shot from 30 yards which came crashing off the post.

Chelsea had their best chance of the half when Todd Kane crossed for Patrick Bamford but he put it narrowly wide from 6 yards on the half hour mark. Lewis Baker had a weak effort saved by stand-in ‘keeper for Dundalk Michael Schlingerman.
 

The first half was a typical friendly fare and the sides went in scoreless at the break.
 

Baker who had the last effort of the first half also had the first of the second. The Chelsea winger found space and managed to get a stinging shot away from 15 yards only to be denied by the post. Chris Shields then had a shot from distance easily saved by Beeney following a deflection. Paul Whelan almost got on the end of a Lorcan Shannon corner before some good work from Stephen Maher put in Gary Shanahan but his tame shot from 20 yards was easily saved by Beeney.

With 20 minutes to go, Dundalk then had a brilliant chance to take the lead Mark Griffin played an excellent ball to fellow substitute Gary Shanahan and after good work to get inside the box, his shot was excellently blocked by Nathan Ake to deny the Lilywhite striker a goal.
 

Chelsea eventually opened the scoring in the 83rd minute when Baker knocked-down a Todd Kane cross for Banford to finish to an empty net.
 

1-0 was how it finished as both sides were content to see it out. The majority of the Chelsea side featured youth players who have finished off a pre-season programme and will now begin their season. The Lilywhites now have St. Patrick’s Athletic in the Airtricity Premier Division next Monday.


Dundalk: Michael Schlingerman (Finnian Farrelly 74); Stephen McDonnell (William Woods 76), Derek Foran (Conor McDonald 66), Paul Whelan, Eoghan Osbourne (Nathan Murphy 70), Lorcan Shannon (Paul Walsh 72), Stephen Maher (Gareth Brady 74), Chris Shields, Mark O’Brien (Gary Shanahan H/T), Chris Reilly (John Mountney H/T); Michael Rafter (Mark Griffin 49).
Unused substitutes: None.

 

Chelsea XI: Mitchell Beeney; Todd Kane, Tika Musonda (Andreas Christiensen H/T), Nathan Ake, Aziz-Deen Conteh; George Saville, John Swift (Alex Kiwomya 55), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Archange Nikumu 90) Lewis Baker; Patrick Banford, Billy Clifford.
Unused Substitutes: Mark Beeney.

 

Referee: Paul Tuite.
Attendance: 3,500 (estimate)
Extratime.ie man of the match: George Saville. Commanding presence throughout and was the boss in midfield.