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@bfcdublin St Patrick’s Athletic blew the gift of a last minute penalty as an injury-struck Bohemians ground out a massive point at Richmond Park. Shane Quinn reports
In a game devoid of clear-cut opportunities, the Inchicore side pushed forward late on but were thwarted by the brilliance of keeper Barry Murphy and the quality of the Bohs defending. Despite losing an incredible three players to injury during this game, Bohs dug in the trenches and frustrated their opponents. In the end, they owed almost everything to Murphy after a disputed decision by referee Richie Winter to award a spot-kick. Pat’s boss Pete Mahon was absent in the dugout following the death of his mother earlier in the week; we offer him our condolences on behalf of everyone attached to Dalymount Park. After a tough week at Bohs, St Pat’s were favourites to claim victory here, with one bookmaker quoting them as short as 10-11 on to win. But their form has been highly inconsistent so far; mixed with two wins was the home defeat to Bray Wanderers and a loss at Tallaght Stadium. After a slow and calculated start, St Pat’s were first to threaten. Fifteen minutes in, Murphy was called upon when midfielder Derek Doyle bypassed Ger O’Brien, playing at left-back, before hitting a low effort the stopper pushed smartly away from goal. Bohs were to suffer a setback on 23 minutes when they lost the veteran Ollie Cahill to injury, with Lee Dixon coming on in his stead. Cahill had been playing at left-wing, and Killian Brennan now switched flanks into Cahill’s position to accommodate Dixon situated wide right. The television cameras were rolling but both teams were struggling to create openings. St Pat’s nearly benefited through a very fortuitous one when Paul Crowley’s weak effort took a massive deflection off Daniel North, but Murphy had ample time to readjust and dive on the ball. It was the southsiders who were having the better of things at that stage, as skipper Stephen Bradley put a header six inches over the crossbar on 32 minutes. Bohs repeatedly conceded free-kicks in dangerous areas close to the box, but, luckily many of Bradley’s deliveries were of a poor quality. Certainly not of the standard required to trouble a hugely experienced Gypsies rearguard. Manager Pat Fenlon was forced into a second change at half-time when substitute Dixon was hauled off injured after just 22 minutes on the pitch. The promising Gary Burke entered the fray. Who would have believed the injury crisis could deteriorate further? But that is what happened five minutes into the second period. Brennan was next to go, due to a blow to his upper body sustained earlier, and was replaced by Keith Buckley. Finally, a sniff of a chance for Bohs. The ball fell beautifully for Stephen Traynor outside the area but his strike lacked the direction to concern keeper Gary Rogers who claimed easily. St Pat’s were not playing at all well as the second half rolled along. With the Saints subdued and the home support on their backs, Mark Rossiter nearly deepened their frustration 74 minutes in. Playing at central midfield, the long shot specialist let fly from 30 yards only to see his effort dip a foot past the left-hand post. Considering the enforced chopping and changing undertaken by Fenlon, Bohs were restricting their Dublin rivals to speculative efforts. Doyle had a glimpse of goal on 82 minutes after a clever pass by substitute Shane McFaul, but shot tamely wide. The hosts did have the ball in net shortly after, but Crowley was caught offside by the linesman. Few could have predicted the chaotic end to this game, and the sheer drama involved. McFaul, who made a real difference following his introduction, went over O’Brien’s dangling leg in the area for a penalty kick. It was unclear as to how much contact there was, but the visiting fans, who had a close-up view, were none too impressed. Winter issued O’Brien a yellow card before appearing to follow that caution up with a red card. O’Brien had not been booked previously and Winter consequently cancelled the red card, allowing the defender to remain on the pitch. Crowley, who endured a quiet evening, struck his penalty to the bottom-right corner only for Murphy to intervene with a stunning save. The Bohs supporters roared in delight behind the goal as their team departed with a precious point. Attempts off target – St Pat’s: 5 Bohs: 2
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| Last Updated on Saturday, 02 April 2011 13:12 |
