Pat’s lose further ground in the Premier Division with defeat to Drogheda
By Daire Walsh
St Patrick’s Athletic suffered a further dent to their Premier Division title ambitions when losing 3-1 to Drogheda United at Head In The Game Park this evening.
While Nahum Melvin-Lambert was on target for the Saints, goals from Knocklyon’s Dane Massey, Mark Doyle and Jordan Adeyemo ensured Drogs came away with the spoils.
St Pat's goalkeeper Vítězslav Jaroš
Stephen O’Donnell’s Inchicore men remain five points behind Shamrock Rovers - who defeated them at Richmond Park last Saturday - but the Hoops are back in action tomorrow against Derry City.
At the Regional Sports Centre last weekend, Massey bagged a brace for Drogheda in their 7-0 thumping of Waterford. The former Bray Wanderers and Dundalk star was once again on target in this contest, curling a 30 yard free-kick to the top right-hand corner in the 22nd-minute.
Despite their best endeavours, Pat’s struggled to create clear-cut opportunities and were ultimately two goals adrift at the break.
At the very end of the opening period, Doyle found room to shoot just inside the penalty area and unleashed an unstoppable strike beyond the reach of Vítězslav Jaroš.
Lee Desmond in actions for St Pats tonight
Pat’s did ramp up the pressure on the resumption, with Sam Bone and Billy King both forcing saves out of opposition netminder David Odumosu.
The Drogheda defence continued to hold firm, until substitute Melvin-Lambert came off the bench to make an instant impact. The London teenager – currently on loan from Reading – turned smartly inside the box and finished past Odumosu from close-range for an 82nd-minute goal.
This set-up a tantalising finale, but it was the home team who had the last word. Right-back James Brown broke forward powerfully and although his run was halted, Jordan Adeyemo finished coolly to the net to swing the outcome in Drogheda’s favour.
