Updated at 23.20
St Patrick’s Athletic 4
Finn Harps 1
Ronan Macnamara reports from Richmond Park
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC made it three wins on the spin after Ronan Coughlan’s brace and goals from Robbie Benson and Alfie Lewis saw Pats ease to a 4-1 win over Finn Harps in front of a carnival atmosphere at Richmond Park.
The result moves the Saints level with Shamrock Rovers at the summit of the Premier Division.
John Mountney had the best chance of the half on two minutes, glancing Lewis’s inswinging free-kick wide from close range.
Harps were stubborn throughout the half and went close through a couple of long-range attempts including Ethan Boyle, who saw a 25-yard volley parried away by Pats stopper Vitezslav Jaros.
The visitors had a massive penalty appeal turned down after Lee Desmond made a hash of dealing with a flick on, allowing Tunde Owalabi to race in and he appeared to be hauled down by Jaros but referee Rob Harvey gave a corner.
Lewis dazzled throughout, and he fed Coughlan in the area who produced a great turn to make space in the crowded box for a left-footed strike that flashed by Mark McGinley clipping the bar on its way in after 37 minutes.
Pat’s controlled the second period and Benson doubled their advantage after he was found by Coughlan, he turned and beat McGinley with ease just after the hour mark.
Coughlan tapped home moments later for his second after Darragh Burns found him with an inch-perfect ball from the end line.
Adam Foley gave Harps a lifeline with his eighth goal of the season, beating Ian Bermingham for pace and slotting past the onrushing Jaros with 17 to play.
The Saints made it four when Lewis raced onto Chris Forrester’s defence-splitting pass, chipping McGinley to cap off an outstanding individual performance.
St Patrick’s Athletic: Vitezslav Jaros, John Mountney, Ian Bermingham, Lee Desmond, Robbie Benson (McCormack 83), Chris Forrester, Ronan Coughlan, Mattie Smith (McClelland 77), Billy King (Burns 60), Alfie Lewis, Paddy Barrett.
Finn Harps: Mark McGinley, Kosovar Sidiki (Bradley-Walsh), Barry McNamee (Logue 77), Mark Coyle, Shane McEleney, Adam Foley (Reddin 87), Conor Barry (McNamee, 67), Ryan Rainey, Ethan Boyle, Will Seymore ,Tunde Owolabi (Boyd, 67).
Scousers don’t care about this game. More interested in Utd losing to Spurs.
@Olllie B: No not really you don’t have to be from Liverpool to be scouser. Northern Europe sailors brought a stew recipe to ports in England but mostly Liverpool. The dish was called Lobscouse. Those people in Liverpool who ate it were called Scousers.
Huddersfield fans out in force I see… who knew?
Come on Huddersfield
Well its Huddersfield for me…
If Klopp loses this…he’ll have to walk alone !!
@dannyboy: never!!
@Joe Kennedy: tbf Klopp is a joke at this stage.
But but but No Coutinho??? Ahhhh sure the January transfer window is nearly upon us so his back is probably playing up again
@powerfix: numbskull
If that defence is correct, I give up.
Im not even sure Lovren shagging Klopps missus would put him out of the team, Might be his downfall.
So Lovern’s punishment for being absolutely useless last week and costing his team 2 goals is to be rewarded with another start? The mind boggles
@Brian O’Loughlin: its common knowledge amongst real pool fans that lovern’s Mrs ran off another guy. So idiots here should really give him a break.
$hit happens to everyone from every walk of life. If things happen in your personal life that effect your performance or prevent you from doing your job properly you shouldn’t be there. Would you want a depressed pilot flying your plane? How is putting him in the firing line supposed to help him anyway? If anything it will make him worse
@Mr Nimziki: oh lord. You drop him till his heads right ffs.
@Nial D: so kick a man when he’s down is the answer
Klopp took off Lovren after 30 mins last week but now he’s starting again wttttfff
Sacked by your best man…,you’re getting sacked by your best man … sacked by your besssst mannnnnnnn ..you’re getting sacked by your besssst mannnnnnnnn….
@powerfix: nitwit
@powerfix: Jeez. My 12yr old has more imagination, and he’s far less childish than that. I’d say your parents are very proud.
If we don’t win kiss top 4 goodbye YNWA
@Ollie Watson: that ship sailed ages ago dude. Ye will be lucky to nick Thursday night ball next season.
Well wagner said he best friends with klippty that goal proved it
Is Coutinho dropped?
@Nollaig Elliot: “injured”
Time to get a run going after some recent blips
Glad for Sturidge to score his first goal in two months great player