Alan Mathews backs hard-working Saints to push on after easing past Longford

St Patrick's Athletic first-team manager Alan Mathews

St Patrick's Athletic first-team manager Alan Mathews Credit: Timmy Keane (ETPhotos)

St Patrick’s Athletic first-team manager Alan Mathews has backed the Saints to push on from Saturday’s dominant 3-1 win over Longford Town at Bishopsgate.

Mathews was in the dugout along with Patrick Cregg and Sean O’Connor as Head Coach Stephen O’Donnell was forced to watch from the stands with a suspension.

But that mattered little as the Athletic sealed the three points with minimal fuss at the home of Mathews’ former employer in the Midlands.

“It was a good win,” he said after the game. “It’s always tricky with the first game back after the break.

“The lads came back refreshed, trained really well and we came into the game confident that they would get a good performance.

“To go home with three goals and three points is something you can’t ask for much more from.”

Despite a strong opening half display, Pats only took a one-nil lead into the break – and were pegged back in the 48th minute thanks to an Aaron Dobbs penalty.

But goals from Matty Smith and Ronan Coughlan eased fears of dropped points against Longford. 

“I think going in at half-time only being one up wasn’t a fair reflection on the game. But you have to give Longford credit, and they fought their way back into the game.

“We had to react to the penalty, and we did that really well. We stepped it up a lot and in midfield Alfie Lewis and Chris Forrester were allowed to dominate.



“It was a really good reaction for our group to react well from going behind and I think the 3-1 was a fair reflection on the game.”

The Saints’ reaction was epitomised by the mental strength of Smith who scored on the 64th minute mark having missed two glorious chances earlier in the game. That was something that pleased Mathews.

“That’s a sign of the entire group,” he added. “We have a very honest, together and hard-working group.

“If someone doesn’t take a chance it doesn’t faze them. They go again for the next chance and work harder for it.

“With Ronan, people have been passing comment that he hasn’t scored enough goals but his contribution to the team has been second to none.

“His selfless running and the way he has been integral to setting up opportunities has been integral may go unnoticed, but it doesn’t go unnoticed by us. He got on the end of one tonight and I’m delighted he did.”



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