Chris Forrester delivers last-gasp Conference win for St Pat's against nine-man Estonians

Irish Independent

3 days ago

St Patrick's Athletic 1 Nomme Kalju 0
What had the potential to be one of the most frustrating nights in their European history finally delivered relief for St Patrick's Athletic. They left it late but eventually called on their bench to break down the resistance of their Estonian opponents and send Stephen Kenny's men off to Tallinn for the return leg next week with a narrow but precious win.
They had just treated their supporters to an 11-goal haul in three games in a little over a week, but they needed a 90th-minute goal from club stalwart Chris Forrester to give them a slender advantage against Nomme Kalju ahead of what will be a physical and mental battle away from home.
The Saints had been unable to make the most of their superiority, in terms of chances created or mere bodies on the field against nine-man opposition. The team from Tallinn were left to play for the last 20 minutes with nine men after a quickfire salvo of second yellows.
But in the last minute of time Conor Carty powered his way through a tired Kalju defence and when his shot was blocked, fellow sub Forrester was free to prod the ball home, finally lifting the tension at Richmond Park in what was a rough battle at times.
The European campaign to date had been blemish-free for the Dublin club with back-to-back wins and clean sheets against an ordinary team from Lithuania. This second-round tie had a similar backdrop but instead of a procession, it was rather a drag, as Pat's had spells of possession for long periods but did little with it.
Pat's were forced into a reshuffle midway through that dull first half. Zac Elbouzedi ran half the length of the pitch and, as he bore down on goal was taken down by defender Danyl Mashchenko, who earned himself a booking. But Elbouzedi appeared to injure his arm as he fell and had to be substituted with Jake Mulraney called from the bench. His manager confirmed afterwards that Elbouzedi had in fact dislocated his shoulder and been removed to hospital. More woe for Pat's followed when Jason McClelland wasted the resulting free kick, sending it straight into the wall.
After that, it was all bits and pieces from Pat's but no ability to stitch it all together as they struggled to break down the Estonians' defensive wall. A conservative Nomme side offered little, content to soak up the pressure and carried no threat at all on their rare forays into the Saints' half, with home keeper Joe Anang a spectator.
At the other end, Pavlov kept out shots from Mulraney and Simon Power, while a run by Mason Melia in first-half injury time was halted by a thundering tackle from captain Maksim Podholjuzin.
Pat's fans had a half-hearted appeal for a penalty on 51 minutes dismissed, but refereeing decisions then went their way.
First, Rommi Siht was sent off for a second bookable offence on 64 minutes. Then just four minutes later the Estonians were down to nine men when Mashchenko was also dismissed for a second yellow card following a clumsy foul on Mulraney.
With 20 minutes to play and a two-man deficit, it was desperate measures for the away side who had to withstand a constant barrage from Pat's. Melia should have scored on 71 minutes when set up by Grivosti but fired wide, then the 'keeper denied a strong effort from sub Aidan Keena.
Kalju looked dead on their feet but resisted until a ball from Brandon Kavanagh found Carty and Forrester latched onto the loose ball for a crucial advantage to take on their travels.
ST PAT'S: Anang; McLaughlin (Keena 69), Redmond, Grivosti, McClelland; Baggley, Lennon (Forrester 79); Elbouzedi (Mulraney 23) Leavy (Kavanagh 79), Power; Melia (Carty 79).
NOMME KALJU: Pavlov; Tarassenkov, Mashchenko, Podholjuzin (Korre 45), Tambedou; Siht, Musolitin (Nikolayev 46), Patrikejevs (Liit 71); Kask; Ivanov (Guilherme 62), Mannilaan.