|
Post by Carl LaFong on Oct 29, 2020 20:25:43 GMT
6,000 Dundalk fans are missing the experience of attending this tonight. In the fantastically cold and barren stadium the two sides come out of the tunnel, Arsenal first, as the visitors bring up the rear in crisp black outfits. The commentator informs us that Dundalk winger Mike Duffy's middle name is Thierry, after Henry. A quick Wiki check confirms that the commentator is not at the wind-up. "Thierry Henry was my idol when I was growing up. I asked for Thierry as my confirmation name. They said no at the start but the teacher came back two weeks later and said he was a saint and that I could have it!” Ironic, as Henry is probably the most hated player in Ireland! Arsenal 0 Dundalk 1 Shots on goal so far!
|
|
|
Post by staggerstag on Oct 29, 2020 20:42:57 GMT
After 30 minutes Dundalk were holding the fort, under siege but keeping the doors bolted, rarely venturing forth and leaving the nest unguarded.
|
|
|
Post by staggerstag on Oct 29, 2020 20:43:43 GMT
It's taken Arsenal the best part of the half to claim the lead.
|
|
|
Post by staggerstag on Oct 29, 2020 20:44:46 GMT
Oh, the gates are getting flooded. It's two-nothing in as many minutes.
|
|
|
Post by staggerstag on Oct 29, 2020 21:51:50 GMT
It's no rugby score as Dundalk battle to keep the final score to 3-0.
|
|
|
Post by staggerstag on Nov 5, 2020 13:37:49 GMT
Europa League | Group B | PD | F | A | PT | 1 | ARSENAL | 2 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 2 | MOLDE | 2 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 3 | VIENNA | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 | DUNDALK | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
|
|
|
Post by staggerstag on Nov 5, 2020 18:08:26 GMT
It's a goal!
After seven minutes of evenly matched play a looped ball in by Shields was taken by Hoban who dinked it past the Wien keeper who really couldn't get to grips with it. The shouts from the Dundalk bench ring out in this ghostly stadium where Dundalk have earned an early lead.
|
|
|
Post by staggerstag on Nov 5, 2020 18:14:15 GMT
You have to say that Dundalk have really gone for it in these opening minutes and you hope they can hold their lead after losing one to Molde in the first game. Vienna taking up the slack now but being dealt with so far by the sprightly visitors.
|
|
|
Post by staggerstag on Nov 5, 2020 18:15:56 GMT
There's bound to be more goals here as only two of the 12 6pm kick-offs remain goalless with less than 20 minutes played around Europe. EDIT : Make that one game on '21.
|
|
|
Post by staggerstag on Nov 5, 2020 18:23:54 GMT
It's a goal. Lubatich (is it?) fires in a 25, 30 yard strike that keeper McCarey just doesn't stretch far enough to parry. It was a delightfully measured missile, floating with an almost restrained, almost apologetic flight path into the net. There was nothing crude about that sophisticated sizzler. It's one-all.
|
|
|
Post by staggerstag on Nov 5, 2020 18:28:00 GMT
Oh Duffy! Put through by Flores on the half hour, he's one on one with the Vienna keeper. You'd put your house on the pot but Duffy can only scuff one short when it should have been 1-2.
|
|
|
Post by staggerstag on Nov 5, 2020 18:43:58 GMT
McCarey! McCarey! McCarey with a goal-saving stop from point blank range before the break. Who was it, Nazmuller or someone, denied close range by a fantastic reflex parry from the Dundalk keeper.
|
|
|
Post by staggerstag on Nov 5, 2020 18:44:26 GMT
Keep Tottenham, Leicester and Arsenal, because that was a fine first half to behold. Dundalk know they have to go on and win and if they lose it won't be for want of trying. The ref has had a decent half too. But there is a lot of grunting and squalling coming from the benches, non-stop, like a cageful of monkeys at feeding time. On the whole, this 6pm Europa card tonight could prove to be a BTTS YES wet dream for many punters with half the games already in by half time.
|
|
|
Post by staggerstag on Nov 5, 2020 19:01:50 GMT
Vienna come out first with the Dundalk crew following on a minute later, the subs masking up as they bring up the rear. A point is of little good for either side here so we can expect things to stay on the boil until mama decides it's time to feed the stew to the children and turn off the heat.
|
|
|
Post by staggerstag on Nov 5, 2020 19:05:08 GMT
Vienna are on the attack early on but can't finish it off and that'll suit the visitors until it's time for a snide counter. There's Ludograts pulling one back and it's 8 out of 12 now for the BTTS YES full house.
|
|
|
Post by staggerstag on Nov 5, 2020 19:10:11 GMT
This could be the end of the road for Vienna's Mateo Barac. He's been clattered by his own keeper in trying to defend a ball in the box. Yes, it doesn't look good for Barac lying there with blood coming from his head. The medics are in attendance, stuffing his nostrils with cotton wool because his nose is dripping blood and may indeed be broken. Wait, he's on his feet and is at least able to walk off unaided. His head is not broken but on comes the sub for Vienna as Barac says goodbye.
|
|
|
Post by staggerstag on Nov 5, 2020 19:13:14 GMT
Flores' ball in for Clary or Boyle, was it? It's a good chance gone to waste, though, as Dundalk now begin the hunt for that all-important second team-goal.
|
|
|
Post by staggerstag on Nov 5, 2020 19:19:23 GMT
Lubijic does a Harry Kane and goes down without serious assault in the area, very dramatic, and if he'd stayed on his feet at least he might have drawn a penalty. But the ref is no fan of am-dram and waves play on. Here's Duffy moments later at the side-netting, provoking some fruity language from the Irish bench, it has to be said.
|
|
|
Post by staggerstag on Nov 5, 2020 19:23:19 GMT
They're controlling it here, Vienna, enjoying occupation of the Dundalk half. Here's Schick lining up one from inside the area with the target in his sights but his shot deflects off a Dundalk defender and goes high over for a corner with 22 minutes left.
|
|
|
Post by staggerstag on Nov 5, 2020 19:28:45 GMT
It's a double subbo for Vienna as they press for victory here. Dundalk have had 6 shots on target to Vienna's 9 so they are by mo means out of this themselves with 18 minutes. Oduwa comes on for Duffy. Oduwa's instructions from the bench are clearly heard as he trots on. "F***ing address 'em, alright? We need you now, f***ing alright?"
|
|