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Stephen Alkin's Premier Division lowdown: Goals aplenty so far

Updated / Thursday, 1 Apr 2021 22:56
Jordan Gibson found the net as Sligo came from behind to beat Waterford last weekend
Jordan Gibson found the net as Sligo came from behind to beat Waterford last weekend

The return of WatchLOI means we can view every game live or on demand. I have started analysing every goal in every game - how were they scored, when they were scored, who provided the assists, goals from play, goals from set pieces - it’s an opportunity that allows us to find out exactly how the most crucial moments in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division happened.

What a start we have had to the campaign.

  • None of last year's top three has won a game yet
  • Finn Harps have continued their excellent late 2020 form with 2 wins
  • Both promoted sides, Drogheda Utd and Longford Town, have already won

NUMBER OF GOALS - 21

There have been 21 goals in 9 games, an average of 2.333 per game. Nine of the ten teams have scored, only Derry City are yet to get off the mark, and they have played just once so far.

WHEN GOALS ARE SCORED

Here is the breakdown of when the goals have been scored:

0-15 mins - 2

16-30 - 4

31-45 - 3 - so that's 9 first half goals

46-60 mins - 3 

61-75 - 3

76-90+6 - 12 second half goals, and six of the 21 overall have come in the last 15 minutes of games, so lots of late dramatics, none more so than Longford Town’s amazing comeback at Dalymount Park last weekend.

MOST COMMON SCORELINES

Thankfully, there have been no 0-0 draws so far - hope that isn't the kiss of death for this weekend’s third series of games!

1-0, 1-1 and 2-1 have been the most common scorelines so far - but it’s early days and it will be interesting to see how this develops through the season.

GOALS BY SUBSTITUTES - 5

Conor Davis came on with telling effect for Longford last weekend

Managers and coaches can have a huge influence on a game by making changes that directly affect the course of a game. The proof is there for all to see from the first two series of games: 5 of the 21 goals have been scored by subs.

Aaron Green for Shamrock Rovers v St Pats.

Dinny Corcoran for Drogheda Utd v St Pats.

Two subs combining as Darragh Burns set up Billy King for St Pats v Drogheda Utd for the late winner.

Conor Davis off the bench for Longford Town v Bohs for his solo goal to make it 1-2.

And again, two subs combining as Warfield's cross found Davis.

SET PLAY GOALS - 2

Romeo Parkes in flying form after his leveller against Dundalk

Only 2 of the 21 goals have come from set plays: Robbie McCourt's free kick headed in by Romeo Parkes as Sligo Rovers equalised against Dundalk; and James Waite’s corner that was powerfully headed in by Cian Kavanagh as Waterford went ahead against Sligo Rovers.

ASSISTS

In most leagues in the world there are awards for the player with the most assists in a season. To my knowledge, that has never happened in Ireland – but why not, it just takes some eejit like me to keep the records, and hey presto, another award opportunity!

So far this campaign, no fewer than 14 players are tied on 1 assist each, so let's let this one run a bit before we start handing out accolades.

OWN GOALS - 2

Roberto Lopez reacts after putting through his own net

The first was from James Browne's cross shot that was deflected into his own net by Cameron Evans as Drogheda United scored a late winner against unlucky Waterford. 

And the other was later that opening night as St Pats took the lead in Tallaght late on when Robbie Benson’s cross was deflected in off Roberto Lopes – putting Shamrock Rovers in danger of losing at home for the first time since 2019

HIGH PRESS

In the dynamic way that football is played nowadays, the high press has become a feature of football at every level. Going back to the Jack Charlton days, he employed it to great success for Ireland as we "put 'em under pressure."

Already this season in our league, there have been two goals directly caused by a high press: Dundalk's lead goal in the Showgrounds when Ed McGinty was forced into error; and Finn Harps’ first goal against Dundalk as Adam Foley blocked his clearance into the net, the first goal of the game.

GOAL OF THE MONTH/SEASON

Debates about the goal of the month and of the season is something that players, fans and pundits love to have. These are my suggestions for the best goals so far.

GOAL A - Romeo Parkes for Sligo Rovers v Dundalk

It's unusual for a set-piece goal to make it. The Robbie McCourt free-kick was perfect for Romeo Parkes, but his header was from 15 yards out and went into the top corner, an incredible finish.

GOAL B - Adam Foley’s winner for Finn Harps v Dundalk (43 seconds into video)

A quick break by Ollie Horgan's side, Mark Russell’s superb through ball very well finished by Adam Foley.

GOAL C - Romeo Parkes goal for Sligo Rovers v Waterford   

 

Great work by Jordan Gibson down the right, his cross volleyed in by Parkes, wonderful technique

GOAL D - Jordan Gibson for Sligo Rovers v Waterford

What a strike from just inside the penalty area, cutting inside and shooting with his 'weaker' left foot, unstoppable.

GOAL E - Georgie Kelly for Bohemians v Longford Town

Liam Burt's cross controlled perfectly by Kelly as he turned and tucked it past Lee Steacy in the Longford goal.

GOAL F - Conor Davis for Longford Town v Bohemians (1 minute 28 seconds into video above)

Weaving his way past several defenders just six minutes after coming off the bench and putting Longford Town back into the game.

GOAL G - Conor Davis for Longford Town v Bohemians (2 minutes 4 seconds into video above)

Great build-up play late in the game by four Longford players, Callum Warfield with a perfect cross and Davis was there to complete the comeback.

What will April bring? So many big matches coming up in the next few weeks, starting with a huge game live on RTÉ2 on Friday as Shamrock Rovers play Dundalk with both sides desperate for a win.

VOTE FOR YOUR MARCH GOAL OF THE MONTH HERE   

FINAL THOUGHTS

Incredibly, all 21 goals in March were scored from inside the penalty area. So come on you long range shooters, let's see more attempts from outside the box. We look forward to many more great scoring moments from the league that we all love, the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland Premier Division.

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