St Patrick's Athletic FC

 It was my second visit to St pats, having visited three years previously. It was done, purely as a bonus game on the Friday night, having originally planned to go to Bangor Celtic on the Saturday, however with them deciding to switch the game from their usual home at the transport club to Crumlin Uniteds 4G pitch at pearse park, having already been there too, I opted to travel to Belfast on the Saturday and do Crusaders Fc, but more about that in my next blog.


I had some external interest in this game as Ryan Edmondson now plays for St Pats, having come through the ranks at York City, I watched him many times in the youth cup. Having promised much following his transfer to Leeds United, he has never lived upto the hype since, with several very uninspiring moves in his career. I have to say I wasn't expecting much from him this evening and he didn't disappoint, putting in a laboured performance against lower league opposition in Wexford United. On my previous visit to St Pats I was treated to watching the excellent Mason Melia, now of Spurs, so to say Edmondson is a backwards step is an understatement, St Pats not nearly as fluent and free flowing going forward as they were then.


Having eaten at the hotel, with time being of the essence, I had no need for food upon arrival at the ground, however the pancake van I had visited on my last visit was there once more so it was pancake with sugar and lemon juice for afters.


St Pats started the game fairly brightly and took the lead with number 11 sweeping home from the right hand side of the box. From then on in they laboured and Wexford persevered, until eventually with 20 minutes left they equalised, firing home into the roof of the net as the 100 or so away fans went wild. A cup shock looked on, with the home crowd getting edgy and wound up at every little thing. However with the clock in its final few minutes the St Pats number 9 thundered a shot in off the post cutting in from the right wing. Relief all round, the home side go into the hat for the next round but not without an almighty scare from the first division minnows.











Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Brackley Town FC

Image
 One of only two national league clubs I've not visited, the other being Boston. A rare trip to see my team in action, York City, with us being in good form too I was buoyant pre match. I arrived in Brackley far too early, on the plus side the turnstiles open at St James Park (there 3rd one I've visited after Newcastle and Exeter) at midday, so at least I had shelter from the horrific weather conditions, swirling torrential rain and an ice cold wind. On the downside, due to the game being segregated we were not allowed the warmth of the bar, but I was under cover and soaking up all the pre match excitement. I'd not seen city play since Solihull away last season. Unfortunately for me, the club shop at Brackley is also in the home end of the ground, however very helpfully I obtained my obligatory pin badge from the ticket office portakabin in the car park, well done for some forward thinking Brackley! Onto the game I'll try and give my unbiased review, city dominated poss...
Read more

Runcorn Linnets FC

Image
 I arrived in Manchester early doors for this one, not entirely sure where I would be going due to games being called off for waterlogged pitched. Had an excellent bacon and egg sandwich from Manchester Arndale Market, a regular stop off of mine. My first choice game was Maine Road vs AFC Blackpool but at 1130 that fell foul of the rain, so I bought my train ticket to Runcorn East and off I went to the Apec Taxi Stadium. Runcorn always resembles a fondness in my mind, due to being the setting for hit comedy of its time Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, however upon arrival at Runcorn East, the walk to the stadium couldn't have been more bleak, I passed nothing at all along the mile long route to the ground other than a sort of private road way for buses which I've never seen before and seems a good idea. When at the ground I was surprised to see a Marstons pub, I went in for a j20 and watched some of the Villa vs Arsenal game to get out of the weather. There is also a ...
Read more

Esh Winning FC

Image
 A midweek journey to the North East, and the secluded ground of Esh Winning FC. Entry through a front door, not a turnstile, straight into the bar, mince pie and chips, good quality pies and sausage rolls on offer, I believe they have a partnership with local butchers and bakery.  A rag tag ground that oozes character, trolley shelters for cover, fake grass along the walk ways, fences and decking that have seen better days and small covered areas at the top of a bank behind the goal. A decent little main stand and a fair pitch with a traditional grass surface.  Entry £5 and £3, easier to get to by car rather than public transport. Check out my pictures and if you enjoy my reviews then buy me a coffee. buymeacoffee.com/davidgroundhopper
Read more