- Andrew Dempsey
- Fri, Mar 31 2023
Andrew Dempsey reports from Richmond Park
A brace from Chris Forrester saw St Patrick’s Athletic claim their first league win in five league games with a 3-0 win against UCD.
Forrester opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a header before Jake Mulraney doubled their advantage before the interval.
And Forrester then added the gloss to a convincing win for the Saints as he dinked home to condemn the Students to a sixth loss in a row.
Coming into the game, the Athletic made three changes from their most recent draw against Shamrock Rovers –with Jamie Lennon, Mulraney and Jason McClelland starting.
Visiting UCD made two swaps themselves, with Danu Kinsella Bishop and Daniel Babb dropping out for Michael Gallagher and Danny Norris.
But it was the Saints who started the game stronger and almost took the lead in the 7th minute.
Mulraney caused chaos down the left flank – but striker Eoin Doyle headed over.
And Doyle went close again in the 10th minute, but he could only curl his effort on goal over the bar after some good play from left-back Anto Breslin.
However, the hosts eventually took the lead in the 16th minute.
Vladislav Kreida’s corner-kick found the unmarked Forrester and the inspirational midfielder headed home at the near post.
It was a goal that the Saints deserved for their start to the game – and it came just two minutes after Jason McClelland saw his cross into the box clip off the post.
And while UCD showed brief glimpses of intent going forward, their only attempt on goal was a long-range strike from defender Michael Gallagher as the half-time break approached.
But the hosts were able to double their lead just before the break when Mulraney found the net in fortuitous fashion.
The former MLS star picked up on a ball from McClelland before curling a relatively tame effort on goal.
Yet, his very tame shot found the net after UCD stopper Kian Moore misjudged the flight of the ball as the Saints went in 2-0 up at the interval.
And with boss Tim Clancy watching on from the stands as he served a touchline ban, St Pat’s made it 3-0 in the 52nd minute through Forrester.
The attacking midfielder ran onto a delightful through ball from McClelland and dinked the ball over the despairing hand of Moore in the Students goal.
And that goal all but ended the game as a contest – as the conditions wreaked havoc on the flow of the game.
Ciaran Behan curled a rare UCD shot on goal over the bar, with sub Devine Izekor also having a shot blocked as the game petered out.
But the Saints remained on top and looked a constant threat on all night.
Eoin Doyle had a shot saved by Moore after the former Bolton Wanderers striker peeled off his striker – with Adam Murphy then seeing a header flash wide.
Forrester almost sealed his hat-trick shortly after Doyle’s effort on goal, but Moore tipped the ball over the bar.
Sub Thomas Lonergan also went close, but his shot was smothered by the UCD keeper in the 80th minute.
And 3-0 was how the game finished, with the Saints ending their four-game wait for a win.
UCD, however, are five points adrift at the foot of the table after seven games played.
St. Patrick's Athletic: Dean Lyness; Anto Breslin, Sam Curtis (Carl Axel Sjoberg 81), Jay McGrath, Joe Redmond; Chris Forrester, Vladislav Kreida (Adam Murphy 74), Jamie Lennon; Eoin Doyle (Thomas Lonergan 61), Jason McClelland (Ben McCormack 61), Jake Mulraney (Conor Carty 74).
Subs not used: David Odumosu, Noah Lewis, Thijs Timmermans, Mark Doyle.
UCD: Kian Moore; Michael Gallagher, Jack Keaney, Daniel Norris (Divine Izekor 59), Harvey O'Brien (Luke O'Regan 70), Adam Wells; Brendan Barr (Donal Higgins 59), Dara Keane; Ciaran Behan (Sami Clarke 70), Mark Dignam, Alex Nolan (Jake Doyle 59).
Subs not used: Lorcan Healy, Jesse Dempsey, Sam Todd, Harry O'Connor.
Booked: Dara Keane (56), Jack Keaney (77), Donal Higgins (88).
Referee: Sean Grant.
Attendance: 3411
extratime.com Player of the Match: Jake Mulraney (St Patrick’s Athletic).
