Fay strikes late to salvage hope for Pat’s in UEFA Youth League
ST PATRICK’S Athletic will have it all to play for in next week’s second leg of their UEFA Youth League match-up with Red Star Belgrade after Ross Fay struck late to salvage them hope as they were edged out 2-1 in last night’s first-leg clash at Richmond Park.
The visitors looked to be on course for a comfortable night after Marko Lazetic twice found the target for them in the opening half.
Yet the Saints were certainly not without their chances, particularly in the second half, but they still had to wait until the 93rd minute before finally opening their account after Ben McCormack’s delivery was glanced home by Fay.
In contrast, Red Star were off the mark within three minutes of the starting whistle, Lazetic producing some neat footwork in the box to dig out some room for a convincing strike to the top corner.
Pat’s goalkeeper Josh Keeley continued to be kept on his toes and he did well to deny Aleksandar Kahvic and Mirko Nikolasevic.
Thomas Lonergan feels the effects of a challenge by Stefan Malentijevic. Photo by Paddy Barrett
But still, the visitors managed to double their advantage just prior to the halftime recess when some good work by Mihaljo Milosavic and Kahic was finished off by Lazetic.
Pat’s moved up a gear after the break and were unlucky not to reduce their arrears early in the second period when Darragh Dunne’s effort was fractionally off target before McCormack also went close.
Red Star netminder Stefan Marinkovic was also called into service to prevent strikes from Luke O’Brien and Tommy Lonergan finding their intended target.
But just when it looked as if Pat’s would be left empty handed, up popped Fay to deliver what could yet prove a crucial score for the Inchicore outfit.
