St Patrick’s Athletic picked up their second consecutive win against rivals Bohemians, in an action-packed Dublin Derby. Referee Robert Hennesy issued 3 penalties and a red card before Robbie Benson’s 92nd minute winner ensured St Pat’s remained third. Bohemians were left frustrated and will feel that they deserved more from the game after Georgie Kelly’s penalty miss was followed by close efforts from Coote and Wilson.
Friday’s Dublin Derby consisted to two teams who have mirrored each other’s starts to the season. St Pat’s started 2021 in excellent form, going unbeaten in their first 9 before disappointing losses to Shamrock Rovers and Drogheda. In contrast, Bohemians have endured one of their worst starts in recent years, winning just twice in their opening 9 games. Keith Long’s side have improved greatly over the last fortnight, scoring 6 and conceding none versus Finn Harps and Longford. Bohemians were unbeaten in 7 games against the Saints before last April, when Ronan Coughlan’s strike meant St Pat’s left Dalymount with 3 points.
Bohemians began the game the stronger side, testing St Pat’s back line early on. The first moment of controversy came on 10 minutes. Pat’s gave away a cheap free kick on the edge of the box. Ali Coote stepped up but saw his effort blocked by an arm in the wall. Robert Hennessy awarded a penalty as Stephen O’Donnell protested furiously on the side-line. However, Georgie Kelly’s penalty could only find the crossbar and it remained 0-0. The Saints perhaps felt a little vindicated after the harsh decision.
The penalty miss appeared to galvanise St Pat’s after a slow start, and they grew more dominant in the derby. Loanee Alfie Lewis linked up well with player of the month Chris Forrester in midfield, as Ronan Coughlan and Billy King pressed Bohemians into some awkward spaces. Sam Bone’s superb effort saved was well saved by James Talbot on 35 minutes. Ross Tierney’s effort blazed high over the bar before the teams entered the break goalless.
Whatever Keith Long said to his players at half-time worked a treat, as Bohemians began the second half strongly. Sensing they were beginning to be overrun in midfield, Stephen O’Donnell sent on Benson in place of Forrester on 50 minutes.
Bohemians were beginning to knock on the door. Liam Burt burst down the wing and saw his effort well saved by Vitezslav Jaros. Kelly just strayed offside before he put the ball into the net, and Wilson saw his free kick smack against the crossbar.
The derby was crying out for a goal, which finally came on 74 minutes. Benson’s superb ball found Matty Smith down the right wing, who took a touch before coolly slotting it past James Talbot.
The game’s second moment of controversy arrived on 89 minutes. Robert Hennessy and his linesmen, who were under huge pressure from both benches all evening, awarded a Bohs throw in, when the ball appeared to hit a Bohs player before going out. Immediately afterwards, Liam Burt raced towards the box and was challenged by John Mountney. Hennessy pointed to the spot although it appeared the tackle was made outside the box. Dawson Devoy equalized from the spot and an irate Stephen O’Donnell was shown a second yellow card for his protests.
The drama was not over. In added time Ciaran Kelly pushed Benson inside the box and Hennessy awarded the third penalty of the night. Benson slotted it past James Talbot and added a goal to his earlier assist, the substitution clearly paying off for the home side.
Bohs rallied for an equalizer but it proved too little too late as St Pat’s picked up their seventh win of the season to remain third. Bohs will feel very hard done by after a solid performance, hitting the bar twice and having the best of the chances through Kelly and Coote. Bohs remain sixth and host Dundalk next Monday, while St Pat’s travel up to Derry.