Academy
- Monday February 16th, 2009 @ 14:41
DOLAN CLINCHES IT
After the recent inclement weather St Pat's Under 14's faced a tricky away game to Leicester Celtic. Lacking any match practice and having suffered the enforced cancelling of training this young Pats side did reasonably well given their far from ideal preparation for the game.
On a pitch not conducive to good football the Saints had to dig in hard to eek out a precious 1-0 win. The game started brightly and it seemed as if the winter cobwebs had been blown away as both sides entertained but then the pitch began to make life difficult.
Ten minutes into the game Pat's forced a corner on the left. Keifer Byrne swung it over the Leicester keeper could only punch the ball into the path of Alex Dolan coming in at the back post and Dolan made no mistake as he rifled the ball high into the roof of the net.
It looked as if Pats might kick on from there and Keifer Byrne's brilliant run and shot almost made it 2-0. However it was Leicester that looked the most dangerous as the half wore on, Martin Carroll saving smartly at his left hand post just before the break.
The second half was more of the same with both sides cancelling each other out and no real efforts on goal. Leicester did claim the ball crossed the line following a corner but the referee was well placed to wave play on.
The last chance of the game came by way of a long range Leicester free kick but in the end it was a comfortable save for Carroll. The win keeps Pats on top of their division and unbeaten in their last 5 league games.
