St. Pats 2 - 0 IBV (Pats win 2-1 on agg)

• Niall Farrell
• Fri, Jul 08 2011


An impressive display in both attack and defence helped Pats overcome a 1-0 deficit from the first leg and advance past IBV Vestmannaeyjar tonight at Richmond Park. First half goals from Ian Daly and Derek Doyle gave Pats a 2-0 win.

The opening 20 minutes were mostly about shadow boxing with IBV having the better chances. Valdimarsson shot from 25 yards after just eight minutes, with Gary Rogers getting down well on his right to save. Pete Mahon had spoken about the need to be cautious in the early stages of the match- and Pats employed mainly lobbed passes over the top of the IBV defence to begin with.

Gradually Pats began to grow in confidence though. Their passing became more accurate, their attacks looked more dangerous and after 24 minutes St Pats took the lead. A wonderful run by Daryl Kavanagh down the right flank of the IBV defence - in which he weaved his way around two defenders - was the root of the goal. Kavanagh then chipped the ball in to the centre of the penalty area, causing IBV 'keeper Abel Dhaiira to flap at it. The ball fell to Ian Daly, who stabbed the ball in for an easy goal.

Not long after the goal, Pats nearly relinquished their lead through an own goal. Icelandic international Tryggvi Gudmundsson made a dangerous run in to the Pats box and shot low towards the bottom right corner of the goal. Gary Rogers somehow got a foot to it, averting an almost certain equaliser.

A good start got better for Pats on 36 minutes, with the Saints doubling their lead through Derek Doyle. Danny North's original cross was headed clear, but only as far as Evan McMIllan on the left wing. McMillan swung the ball in for Doyle in the middle to head powerfully past the helpless Dhaiira.

Four minutes before the break, IBV had another golden opportunity to score. English striker Ian Jeffs broke down the right after being fed by his compatriot Kelvin Mellor. Jeffs put a precise pass across the Pats box for Tryggvi Gudmundsson, who shot just inches wide. Pats closed the have well though and went in to half-time with a dream 2-0 lead.

The Saints defenders had to be at their sharpest in the opening minutes of the second half, with IBV dominant. To their credit, Pats restricted their visitors to half-chances. A move to a 4-5-1 formation meant that The Saints were able to crowd out IBV whenever they tried to counter. In time, Pats again began to replicate the fin passing which saw them score twice in the first half. Just after the hour mark Danny North saw his low shot saved after a fine passing move from Ian Daly and Daryl Kavanagh, then after 65 minutes Evan McMillan flicked a Stephen Bradley corner over the bar.

But IBV always looked like they could pose a threat on the ball. Finnur Olafsson's 70th minute cross whizzed dangerously across the Pats goal, while a minute later Gary Rogers had to get down to save a Gudmundsson free-kick. IBV did well to stretch St. Pats- leaving gaps on the Saints flanks at times. Some superb organisation at the back saw that when IBV countered Pats were well equipped to resist. Gary Rogers had to come out to claim the ball on a number of occasions, but Pats looked comfortable for the most part.

Late on Paul Crowley had a chance to add a third goal for Pats- just missing a connection on a cross right in front of goal. IBV were increasingly desperate in their attempts to find the goal that would have seen them progress on aggregate- putting Pats under intense pressure at the back in the last few minutes. With the second-last attack of the match, Matt Garner's close range shot was saved by Gary Rogers. With IBV's final attack, Mawejje headed just wide and so sealed Pats' progression to the second round of Europa League qualifying- where they will travel to Kazakhstan to play Shaktyor Karagandy.

St. Patrick's Athletic: Gary Rogers; Derek Pender, Ian Bermingham, Brian Shortall [Anto Murphy '84], Evan McMillan; Stephen Bradley (c), Shane McFaul, Daryl Kavanagh, Derek Doyle; Danny North [David McMillan '86], Ian Daly [Paul Crowley '76].
Subs Not Used: Chris Bennion, Sean Stewart, Neil Harney, Jake Carroll.
Yellow Cards: Stephen Bradley, Derek Pender.

IBV Vestmannaeyjar: Abel Dhaira; Matt Garner, Finnur Olafsson [Bryan Hughes '74], Thorarinn Ingi Valdimarsson [Guthmundur Thorarinsson '80], Andri Olafsson; Tony Mawejje, Kelvin Mellor, Eiour Aron Sigurbjornsson, Rasmus Stenberg Christiansen; Ian David Jeffs [Denis Sytnik '62], Tryggvi Gudmundsson.
Subs Not Used: Albert Saevarson, Brynjar Gauti Gudjonsson, Yngvi Borgthorsson, Arnor Eyvar Olafsson.
Yellow Cards: Andri Olafsson.

Referee: Nerijus Dunauskas (Lithuania)

Attendance: 3100 (unofficial estimate)

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Daryl Kavanagh.