Cellar dweller Drogheda United put a halt to St. Patrick's modest two game winning streak in Ireland Premier Division action on Friday evening at United Park in Drogheda.
St. Pat's midfielder Ryan Guy was a late scratch due to a strained hamstring suffered in training but will return to action against Shamrock Rovers following the two week summer break.
Drogheda United midfielder and native Texan Jamie Duffy started and went the full 90 minutes for head coach Alan Mathews.
The first half saw the Drogs control the pace of the match including a run by Duffy in the 18th minute which led to a foul from 25 yards out. The resulting free kick by Robbie Clarke fluttered towards goal in the swirling wind before settling into the hands of St. Pat's goalkeeper Gary Rogers.
The game's only goal arrived thirteen minutes later when forward Shane Barrett made a move on Saints defender Noel Haverty from a Duffy assist before blasting a shot into the net giving the hosts the lead.
Sensing a weakness in the visitors' backfield, the last place club continued to attack and almost tacked on another goal before halftime but a flurry of three shots in a span of a minute would all be saved by Rogers keeping the deficit at just one goal heading into the locker rooms.
Unlike two weeks ago against Bohemians, the words of Saints head coach Jeff Kenna at halftime did not resonate with his squad as the Drogs were on the move again just two minutes into the second half when Brian King's unmarked header was barely cleared off the line by Gareth O' Connor.
St. Pat's finally got their offense working in the 67th minute but team captain Jamie Harris' header in the box missed the target.
Just 11 minutes later, the Lone Star State resident would ride to the rescue for the hosts by clearing a shot from Harris that was on the verge of going into the back of the net and tying the match.
With time ticking down, Kenna's club was desperately searching for the equalizing goal but Duffy and the Drogs defense were up to the challenge as they brushed away any and all threats from the visitors.
The loss leaves St. Pat's stuck in fifth place with 20 points while Drogheda United improve to a tie for last place with Bray Wanderers at 15 points.
After the two week summer break, both Guy and Duffy return to action on the Fourth of July as St. Pat's hosts Shamrock Rovers and Drogheda play at Sligo Rovers. |
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