Cork City                       0

St. Patrick’s Athletic    2          (Chris Forrester 43’, Brandon Kavanagh 45+4’)

Philip Morrissey reports from Turner’s Cross

St Patrick’s stay on the heels of Drogheda United after a comfortable win at Turners Cross. Two late first half goals from Chris Forrester and Brandon Kavanagh ensured that the Saints remain in second place, a point behind United who won in Derry.  

City tried in vain to get back into the match in front of yet another sizable crowd. They sadly lacked a cutting edge up front and experience in the absence of Seani Maguire and Ruairi Keating.

They are now in serious trouble near the bottom of the table three points clear of basement side Sligo Rovers who play their game in hand on Saturday at home to Galway United.

Tim Clancy made one change from the loss up in Derry. Ruairi Keating’s lengthy enforced absence due to injury from that game meant a new attack. Kitt Nelson and Cathal O’Sullivan supported former Saint Alex Nolan up front with Freddie Anderson coming into the side. 

Stephen Kenny made just one alteration from the draw with Shels last time out. Jason McClelland replaced Jake Mulraney.

The visitors were keen to make a quick start and almost scored within the first few minutes. Neat movement around the box eventually saw a low cross into the area by Kavanagh for the waiting Mason Melia. It was intercepted by Milan Mbeng however.

The home did have chances of their own. Mbeng’s header bounced down and over the bar whilst Bernardo Couto was only able to hit the side netting after a cross from O’Sullivan. 

Generally the first half was short on opportunities for either side. City were quick to the challenge but lacked an attacking focal point. 

Just as the break approached, the visitors went in front. The City defence were unable to clear a cross effectively. It fell to the Saints skipper Chris Forrester who smashed a volley into the top corner.

The Athletic were not finished though. Kavanagh intercepted the ball outside the area before driving it into the bottom corner just on the whistle for the break.

If the home side stood any chance of getting back into the game, they needed to score first in the second half. Nolan did have an effort tipped over by Joseph Anang for their first shot on target. 

The Pats netminder was then kept busy with volleys by Darragh Crowley and Couto. Tim Clancy went into the book after he protested a penalty shout that was waved away by referee Marc Lynch.

Pats almost extended the lead with 20 minutes to go. Melia was taken down on the edge of the area. Kavanagh stepped up with a free kick that beat the wall but not Troost. 

Josh Fitzpatrick almost dragged one back late on but his cross just couldn’t find a team mate. Charlie Lyons then headed off the line as the away side aimed to wrap it up. 

City have a daunting double trip to the capital to face Shamrock Rovers (Monday) and Bohemians (Friday). Pats also face Shamrock Rovers at home next Friday. 

Cork City: Tein Troost, Freddie Anderson, Bernardo Couto (Joshua Fitzpatrick 74), Charlie Lyons, Milan Mbeng, Sean Murray, Darragh Crowley (Matthew Kiernan 74), Rio Shipston (Evan McLaughlin 68), Cathal O’ Sullivan, Alex Nolan (Matthew Murray 67), Kitt Nelson

Subs not used: Conor Sam Bailey, Harvey Skieters, Arran Healey, Dara McCormack

Booked: Tim Clancy (58), Charlie Lyons (70), Bernardo Couto (72)

St Patrick’s Athletic: Joseph Anang, Sean Hoare (Tom Grivosti 77), Anthony Breslin, Joseph Redmond, Carl Sjoberg, Jamie Lennon, Chris Forrester (Barry Baggley 90 +2), Zach Elbouzedi (Jake Mulraney 90+2), Brandon Kavanagh (Kian Leavy 77), Jason McClelland, Mason Melia (Conor Carty 83)

Subs not used: Daniel Rogers, Ryan McLaughlin, Luke Turner, Al-Amin Kazeem

Booked: Joseph Anang (81)

Referee: Marc Lynch

Attendance: 3,815

extratime.com Player of the Match: Chris Forrester (St. Pat’s)