League Report: Drogheda United 1 - 2 UCD

 

Derek Doyle had given Drogheda the lead early in the first-half but a Gary O'Neill penalty, following a foul by Doyle, gave UCD the equaliser just after the hour mark.

 

It was Drogheda who started the better of the two sides with Marc Griffin testing UCD goalkeeper Niall Corbet just seconds in. UCD then had a great chance of their own as an effort from Ryan Swan following good play in midfield went just wide of the Drogheda goal.

 

It was the home side who took a deserved lead after ten minutes. Brilliant play down the right from Sam O'Connor saw him beat his man before playing a ball across the box to Derek Doyle who fired home at the near post from close range.

 

Drogheda continued to pile on the pressure with Sean Thornton striking a long range effort go over the bar before Griffin saw his effort blocked by a UCD defender after more good play from O'Connor.

 

UCD then had a chance of their own as a mistake from Luke Gallagher put Swan through on goal, only to see his shot saved well by McGuinness. Drogheda then should have doubled their lead with the next attack of the game but a brilliant cross into the box by Thornton was headed over the bar by the unmarked Griffin.

 

Drogheda again started the second half the better of the two sides and twice were inches away from doubling their lead.

 

First, Aaron Ashe played a dangerous ball across the goal towards the sliding Joe Jackson, but the defender couldn't get the final touch on the ball. The next effort saw Aaron Molloy, who was playing his final game for Drogheda, put Griffin in on goal. Griffin's effort was parried by Corbet to Doyle whose follow-up was miraculously cleared off the line by Tomas Boyle, denying the Drogheda winger a second.

 

The Students did get back into the game, though, after Adam Harney was needlessly fouled by Doyle inside the box to earn UCD a penalty. Gary O'Neill stepped up and sent McGuinness the wrong way to level the game.

 

UCD were the better team for a period after the goal and constantly looked dangerous going forward but never really tested McGuinness. That was until the 85th minute when a misjudged header to his 'keeper from Jackson allowed Dylan Watts to slot home, despite the best efforts of Jackson to clear it off the line.

 

Drogheda went direct in search of an equaliser but never threatened Corbet and UCD ran out 2-1 winners to move above Drogheda and into second place. Drogheda are now third, ahead of Cobh Ramblers on goal difference.

 

 

Drogheda United: Stephen McGuinness; Lloyd Buckley, Joe Jackson, Luke Gallagher, Stephen Dunne; Sean Thornton, Aaron Molloy; Aaron Ashe, Marc Griffin (Jake Hyland 69), Derek Doyle (Eoin Kirwan 84); Sam O'Connor (Liam Donnelly 73). 

Subs Not Used: Patrick Dunican (GK), Adam Wixted, Mark O'Brien, Ken Costello.

Bookings: Derek Doyle (62), Joe Jackson (64).

 

UCD: Niall Corbet; Adam Harney, Maxim Kouogun, Tomas Boyle, Dan Tobin; Kieran 'Marty' Waters (Cathal Brady 80), Greg Sloggett, Gary O'Neill, Jason McClelland; Dylan Watts (George Kelly 90+3); Ryan Swan (Jason Byrne 66).

Subs Not Used: Conor O'Donnell (GK), Jack Watson, Daire O'Connor, Mark Langtry.

 

Referee: David Keeler.

Attendance: 400 (estimate)

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Dylan Watts (UCD).