Late show sees super Pat's progress
by setantasports.com staff, 28 August 2008
Late goals from Jason Gavin and Mark Quigley saw St Patrick's Athletic into the first round proper of The Uefa Cup after a sensational Thursday evening at Richmond Park in which they defeated Sweden’s Elfsborg 2-1.
After their excellent 2-2 draw in Sweden a fortnight ago, John McDonnell’s men go through 4-3 on aggregate after a night in which Stefan Ishizaki’s goal looked like it might be enough to knock them out.
Pat’s gave a strong professional showing but neither they nor the Swedes could find the net in the opening half, that despite the Dublin side bettering their opponent for the majority.
They were then hit with a sucker punch on 63 minutes as Ishizaki netted to give Elfsborg the lead. He beat Barry Ryan – who had earlier made a fine save from Lars Nilsson – from a tight angle after Daniel Moback’s shot was deflected into his path.
McDonnell could hardly believe his side were behind after Gary Dempsey had shaved the bar with an effort just before the Elfsborg goal, but Pat's could have been two adrift when Nilsson tried to beat Ryan again only for the goalkeeper to rise to the challenge.
Saints never gave up and gave the big crowd who were packed into Richmond Park reason to dance and cheer when they levelled the game four minutes from time.
Keith Fahey, brilliant all night and linked with clubs such as Birmingham City and Reading this week, sent in a corner that Gavin met with a powerful header to leave Elfsborg needing another goal.
They did not get it and 1-1 would have been enough for St Pat’s, but in the end they went through with a win as Quigley won the match in the final minute.
Substitute Derek O'Brien sent a long ball into the area and as Elfsborg goalkeeper flapped wildly at it, Quigley went past him and walked the ball into the net to make sure there was no danger of the Inchicore side missing out on Friday’s draw in Monaco.