FAI Cup Replay Report: Drogheda United 1 - 2 Derry City

Derry City progressed to the Third Round of the FAI Cup following a 2-1 victory in their Second Round replay against Drogheda United at United Park.

Rory Patterson gave Derry an early lead four minutes in with a low free kick. Drogheda grew in to the game throughout the first half and their captain Sean Thornton equalised from the penalty spot ten minutes before the interval. However, it would be the visitors who ran out victors thanks to a superb finish from Josh Daniels on 55 minutes.

It was Derry who took the lead early on in this encounter with what was the first real chance of note for either side. The visitors were awarded a free kick 25 yards out from goal and Rory Patterson drilled it through the wall and into the bottom corner past the helpless McGuinness.

However, the night was soon over for the Derry striker after he was forced off injured on the 15 minute mark, clutching his hamstring as he left the field.

Drogheda became more confident as the half progressed, growing more and more into the game and it was the home side who came closest to scoring next. A foul on the impressive Liam Donnelly resulted in a free kick to Drogheda and a good effort from captain Sean Thornton went just over the bar.

Drogheda continued to try and create chances with Aaron Ashe forcing a good save out of Ger Doherty, winning one of what would be a number of corners for the home side in the first half. 

However, it was from one of these Drogheda corners that Derry's next chance came from. Thornton's corner missed everyone in the box and Nathan Boyle was released on the counter down the right wing. A great run from the Derry man saw him beat Aaron Molloy and Stephen Dunne before seeing his shot saved by Stephen McGuinness in the Drogheda goal.

Drogheda did find an equaliser before the break as Aaron Molloy was adjudged to have been fouled in the box by Dean Jarvis. Sean Thornton stepped up and fired his penalty down the middle to level the game.

Derry started the second half the brighter of the two sides and Lucas Schubert, on his first start for Kenny Shiels side, went close to giving his side the lead but he flashed his shot just wide.

The Candystripes would hit the front on 55 minutes though and Schubert was indeed involved in the move. A mistake from Drogheda defender Niall Cooney gifted the ball to Schubert who played a brilliant through ball to Josh Daniels who finished superbly as he bent the ball around McGuinness into the far corner to give Derry a 2-1 lead.

Derry were on top at this stage and just minutes later they almost added a third. Nathan Boyle easily beat Cooney on the right before playing a dangerous ball across the box, which was deflected before being saved by McGuinness and cleared away by Aaron Molloy. 

The visitors went even closer two minutes later as an Aaron Barry header from a corner was somehow cleared off the line by a Drogheda player to deny what looked like a certain goal.

The game then became more of a midfield battle as neither side was able to gain control of the tie. Drogheda had come back into the game and looked to press for a late equaliser but found themselves vulnerable to the Derry counter attack. Drogheda's best chance for an equaliser was a half chance, as Aaron Molloy played a dangerous ball into the box, the ball was headed into the path of Luke Gallagher by a Derry defender but Ger Doherty managed to get down to gather just in time.

Derry progress to the Third Round of the FAI Cup thanks to their first victory since they beat St. Pat's at the beginning of May and will now prepare for the challenge of a league game against struggling Bray Wanderers at the weekend. That defeat brings to an end what was a six game unbeaten run in all competitions for Drogheda who now turn all their attention to the league and their promotion battle as they take on Cabinteely on Sunday afternoon.

Drogheda United: Stephen McGuinness; Ken Costello, Niall Cooney, Luke Gallagher, Stephen Dunne; Eoin Kirwan (Derek Doyle), Jake Hyland, Aaron Molloy, Sean Thornton (Sean Brennan), Aaron Ashe; Liam Donnelly (Marc Griffin). 

Subs Not Used: Patrick Dunican, Lloyd Buckley, Jamie McGlynn, Joe Jackson.

Booked: Sean Thornton, Sean Brennnan.

Derry City: Ger Doherty; Conor McDermott, Niclas Vemmelund, Aaron Barry, Dean Jarvis; Aaron McEneff, Conor McCormack, Lukas Schubert (Keith Ward); Nathan Boyle, Josh Daniels; Rory Patterson (Ronan Curtis).

Subs Not Used: Shaun Patton, Jordan Allen, Patrick McClean, Ryan McBride, Jack Blake.

Booked: Lucas Schubert.

Referee: Tom Connolly.

Attendance: 400 (estimate).

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Josh Daniels (Derry City).

You can see pictures from the game as taken by Michael P Ryan and Larry McQuillan by clicking here.