SI OF RELIEF FOR ROVERS
Madden can’t stop Hoops from nicking 3 points
WHATEVER smile might have been forming on Simon Madden’s face was wiped off late on as Shamrock Rovers got back to winning ways.
The full-back (right) wasn’t happy at not being offered a new Hoops deal in the close season and St Pat’s wasted no time stepping in.
And while his new team was second best to his old one, the Saints rearguard had done a solid enough job frustrating a Rovers side that lorded the ball.
But in the act of defending an Ethan Boyle cross, ex-aston Villa man Kevin Toner appeared to deflect the ball into his own net with 13 minutes to play.
It was an awkward celebration, with the Rovers players unsure who to mob but a win is a win for a side whose momentum was curbed in Cork on Monday.
Saints already look more purposeful than last year – but that wouldn’t be hard.
Ensuring they can bounce back from setbacks like this will be key to a succesful season.
Stephen Bradley made four changes to his back five from that defeat on Leeside with the return of goalkeeper
Tomer Chencinski the most significant.
And the Canadian international made the only save of note during a first half awash with fine passing but few chances.
When Trevor Clarke upended Madden down the right, Owen Garvan’s free kick threatened to creep in until Chencinski’s intervention.
Saints didn’t offer a great deal going forward but were coping just fine soaking up what came their way before the break.
Rovers best work in the final third was rarely conducted inside the visitor’s box with Lee Desmond and Co keeping them at arm’s length. Brandon Miele flashed a header wide from a Clarke cross while Graham Burke rattled off two long range shots, only one of which troubled Barry Murphy.
Down the other end, Conan Byrne failed to get a clean connection to the impressive Garvan’s cross and his header fizzed tamely wide.
So often the Saints talisman, it was Byrne’s last contribution as he was replaced by Ian Turner early in the second-half as the Inchicore men looked to spark their night.
But Rovers remained the more inventive side and Dan Carr saw a shot deflect off Desmond while Burke’s drilled the rebound just wide with Murphy at full stretch.
With the clock ticking down, the Hoops stepped it up.
Sean Kavanagh went close but the hosts would not be denied – even if they knew little about their winner in the end.
Chencinski; Boyle, Lopes, Grace, Clarke; Bolger, Miele (Coustrain 78), Finn, Burke (Byrne 88), Kavanagh; Carr. Murphy; Madden, Desmond, Toner, Bermingham; Garvan, R Brennan; Byrne (Turner 54), Markey (Keegan 84), Clarke (Doona 84); Fagan.
D Tomney
5 1
DERRY CITY made it 10 goals in two games by beating Bray 5-1 at the Brandywell last night.
Having put Limerick to the sword on Monday, Derry produced a superb second half showing against basement side Bray, despite losing the services of Nicky Low in the 55th minute to a red card.
The home side took the lead 15 minutes in thanks to Rory Patterson deflecting Low’s shot home.
The Seagulls opted for a dogged defensive policy which kept Derry at bay until after the break.
Ronan Curtis put the Candystripes two goals in front with an hour gone before Aaron Mcnuff added a third from the penalty spot.
Goals from Ronan Hale and David Hopkirk sandwiched a Bray consolation from Sean Heaney.