Play-Off Preview: Drogheda United - V - Wexford Youths

Drogheda United face an uphill task in their bid for promotion as they host Wexford Youths at United Park on Friday evening in the second leg of the promotion/relegation play-off.

DROGHEDA UNITED

Two second half strikes for Wexford in the first leg on Monday night mean Drogheda head into the second leg with a two goal deficit. 

Drogheda had controlled the first half of that game, hitting the woodwork three times in the first 45 minutes. Drogs boss Pete Mahon expressed his disappointment at the first leg result when speaking to droghedaunited.ie, signaling mental and physical fatigue as the reasoning for his side's second half showing. 

"It’s disappointing to lose any game but especially one of that importance. We started off as well as we have all season and were completely on top for the first 40 minutes and then Wexford missed a great chance just before the break."

"I think the mental and physical fatigue of the last few weeks caught up to us second half. Maybe I could’ve made more changes or brought subs on earlier but that’s the life of a manager. 1-0 was a bad result, but 2-0 was hard to take given how well we played in the first half."

Mahon has two injury doubts, in captain Sean Thornton (dead leg) and defender Kevin Farragher (groin), but is adamant that the tie is far from over if his side take their chances, and hopes his side put in one more huge performance for their supporters. 

“We were disappointed with how things went on Monday but there certainly isn’t anything lost. I have absolutely no doubt that we will create enough chances to score but the big question is whether we can take them.”

“Supporters can’t win you games but they can definitely get that extra bit out of their team. We’re working hard on making United Park a fortress again and we need to make Wexford feel that tomorrow night. I think the supporters who have followed us this season will appreciate the style of football and effort the lads have put in this season and I know we have one more huge performance in us.”

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Wexford Youths travel to Drogheda with a two goal lead from Monday’s first leg at Ferrycarrig Park as Shane Keegan’s men look to retain their place in the Premier Division for the 2017 season.

After weathering a storm of attacks from Drogheda in the first half of the first leg, Wexford began to see more of the ball in the second half and took the lead in the 66^th minute as forward Danny Furlong fired the ball into the top corner of Stephen McGuinness’ goal.

Then, as it looked like Wexford would bring a one goal lead to United Park, Lee Chin stepped up in the 91st minute, volleying the ball past McGuinness with what would be his final involvement as a Wexford Youths player this season.

Youths manager Shane Keegan will be without Chin for the second leg as the Wexford hurling star will instead attend the All Star Awards, stressing that hurling has always remained his priority.

Keegan will be hoping his side's away record in the league this season doesn't show at United Park. Wexford won just two league games away from home in 2016, scoring just 16 goals in their sixteen away games.

Perhaps more worryingly for Keegan is the 45 goals that his side have conceded on the road this season, in comparison to the 25 they conceded at Ferrycarrig Park.

Referee: Unknown.

MATCH STATS

This is not the first time that Drogheda United have been in this position. In the 2002/03 Promotion/Relegation Play-Offs, the Boynesiders’ beat Cobh Ramblers 4-2 on aggregate in the semi-final before travelling to Galway in the final where they lost the first leg 2-0. Facing a two goal deficit heading into the second leg, the Louth side won 3-0 after extra time to win 3-2 on aggregate.

In their sixteen away games in the league this season, Wexford lost twelve, won two (vs Longford and Finn Harps) and drew two (vs Bohemians and Cork City).

On the other hand, Drogheda, in their 14 home league matches, won 10, lost two (vs Limerick and UCD) and drew two (vs Athlone and Limerick) while they also lost the second leg of the First Division play-off at home to Cobh Ramblers but progressed 3-2 on aggregate.

BETTING

Drogheda United 11/10; Draw 23/10; Wexford Youths 2/1.

PREDICTION

Drogheda United 2-1 Wexford Youths.

Drogheda United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Kevin Farragher (groin), Sean Thornton (dead leg).

Suspended: None.

Wexford Youths

Injured/Unavailable: Lee Chin (attending GAA All-Star Awards).

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.