Longford Town 1-4 St Patrick’s Athletic
Deniese O’Flaherty reports from Bishopsgate
MATTY SMITH SCORED a hat-trick and turned provider for another goal as St Pat’s made it four wins from four this season against a luckless Longford Town side.
Smith grabbed his first goal in the 29th minute and completed his hat-trick in the first minute of second-half stoppage time.
It was hard luck on a Town side who competed very well but yet again will rue not putting away chances when they came their way. They were also denied two penalties, one in each half.
Against the run of play, Pat’s took the lead in the 29th minute when Smith scored with a stunning volley. Before that, Vitezslav Jaros had denied Dean Williams twice. In the 19th minute, Williams’ header was saved by the Pat’s netminder and then in the 25th minute, Rob Manley played the ball to Williams but Jaros brought off a fine save to keep his goal intact.
Minutes after the opening goal Town had claims for a penalty waved away by referee Ray Matthews. Paddy Barrett appeared to have bundled over Manley but no spot-kick was awarded.
Pat’s doubled their advantage in the 44th minute when Robbie Benson’s corner from the left-hand side was headed home by Smith.
Williams squandered a great chance for the home side just before the break, collecting Darragh Nugent’s cross and twisting and turning before hitting a terrible effort well wide.
Town pulled a goal back dix minutes into the second half, Aodh Dervin with the pass to Williams — who looked offside — but continued through before scoring.
For all the possession they had, Town couldn’t add to their goal and in the 84th minute Pat’s got their third of the night with their first real chance of the second half, Smith turning provider for Alfie Lewis who powerfully shot to the net.
Smith then grabbed his hat-trick in the first minute of stoppage time, finishing from close range after Darragh Burns played the ball across the box.
LONGFORD TOWN: Lee Steacy; Dean Zambra, Aaron O’Driscoll, Ben Lynch, Paddy Kirk; Aaron Robinson, Aodh Dervin; Rob Manley (Callum Warfield, ‘86), Darragh Nugent (Dylan Grimes, ‘65), Karl Chambers (Conor Davis, ‘66); Dean Williams (Aaron Dobbs, ‘86).
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC: Vitezslav Jaros; Sam Bone, Paddy Barrett, James Abankwah (Lee Desmond, ‘61), Ian Bermingham; Chris Forrester (Alfie Lewis, ‘68), Robbie Benson (Kyrian Nwoko, ‘78), Jamie Lennon; Darragh Burns, Mattie Smith, Jason McClelland (Billy King, ‘61)
Referee: Ray Matthews
Can’t disagree with his point but just hard to take when we’ve a pick of a 21/2 mile radius. How can we ever match the Dublin clubs.
In reality it’s up to the player himself, my own opinion would be to play with my home club if I could. I wouldn’t be a fan of lads who would transfer to a bigger club or a higher level but it’s their choice of they want to do that.
It’s a tough one. Lads have careers & families and may not be able to commit to the travel involved if they are living in Dublin and playing with their hometown club. Playing with the club 5 minutes away is more practical.
In saying that, no reason why these players have to play in the Provincial championships. Let them play league and ch’ship in Dublin, but you use home-grown players beyond that.
How can we ever match Dublin clubs? €€€€€€ is the only way…..
You can disagree, they signed former dub eamonn fennell from o’tooles who are five mins away from Vincent’s. And another of their better players came from o tooles.
Parnells got awful stick for imports, it didn’t work out for them and they are back to the right way now. Plunketts vinnies ballymun shipping lads in!
All the top clubs are the same, Kerry club Dr.Crokes centre back Alan o sullivan is an import and rumor is the Crokes have approached this years kerry minor Clifford to transfer and he probably will if the terms are right!!:-):-):-):-
Does Eamon Fennell still play?
Not sure saw him on crutches though