League Report: Drogheda United 1 - 0 Athlone Town

Drogheda United ran out 1-0 winners at United Park against a stubborn 10 man Athlone Town thanks to a second half goal from Aaron Ashe.

It was Drogheda who had the first chance of this game as Jake Hyland found space in midfield before going for goal from around 30 yards, only to see his effort go over the bar. This would be the start of a familiar theme throughout the game and the first half especially.

Athlone however, did look dangerous on the counter attack in the opening period, particularly with Ronan Hanaphy who had what would be the best chance for the visitors on the night. This came seven minutes in as he was set through on goal against Stephen McGuinness, only for former Town defender Kevin Farragher to get back, apply pressure to Hanaphy and see the ball out of play before the forward could get his shot off. 

It was Ashe and Hyland who were looking the most inventive for the home side and it would be both those players to have the next chances of the game. Firstly, clever play from Ashe saw him cut inside David Brookes on the edge of the box before shooting over the bar with a left foot strike.

Then came a chance following a short corner kick, which was eventually came to Hyland on the edge of the box but his effort again rose high and over the bar. 

Drogheda were the better side throughout but failed to test Jamie Quinn in the Athlone goal before Luke Gallagher finally hit the target from a long range effort.

However, the home side were then given a major boost as the visitors were reduced to ten men as Aidan Byrne was sent off for two bookable offences. His first yellow was for a late challenge on Luke Gallagher. Byrne could then have no complaints when shown a second yellow and a red for a needless kick out at Lloyd Buckley just thirteen minutes later.

It would take until the 58th minute for the first chance of the second half to develop but it was worth the wait as it would turn out to be the winning goal. A brilliant ball from Marc Griffin saw the ball fall to Ashe, whose effort parried by Quinn before eventually bouncing into the back of the Athlone net to give Drogheda the lead.

There would only be two more real chances of note in the second half, both through substitute Mark Doyle. Firstly, the seventeen year old went close from a tight angle down the right on 75 minutes.

Next, with just five minutes to play, the teenager somehow managed to keep control of the ball while under pressure from a number of Athlone players before turning and shooting low at Quinn who gathered at the second attempt.

Athlone, in truth, never looked like finding an equaliser and Drogheda hung on to return to winning ways and remained in third place in the league.

Drogheda United: Stephen McGuinness; Lloyd Buckley, Luke Gallagher, Kevin Farragher, Stephen Dunne; Aaron Ashe (Mark Doyle 66), Sean Brennan (C), Jake Hyland, Derek Doyle; Marc Griffin, Sam O’Connor (Sean Thornton 54).

Unused Subs: Patrick Dunican (GK), Kenneth Costello, Colm Deasy, Mark O’Brien, Liam Donnelly.

Yellows Cards: Mark Doyle (83).

Athlone Town: Jamie Quinn; Ciaran O’Connell (Sean McGrane 89), Jack Quinn, Ian Fletcher, David Brookes; Claudia Silva, Darragh Concannon (Michael Monaghan 45), Colm Coss, Conor Barry, Aidan Byrne; Ronan Hanaphy.

Unused Subs: Sean Nolan (GK), Roy King, Daniel Molloy, Chris Reid.

Yellow Cards: Aidan Byrne (31 and 44), David Brookes (75).

Red Card: Aidan Byrne (44).

Referee: Ray Matthews.

Attendance: 250 (estimate).

Extratime Man of the Match: Kevin Farragher (Drogheda United).