League Report: Shamrock Rovers II 2 - 2 Drogheda United

Macdara Ferris reports from Tallaght Stadium

Ten-man Drogheda United battled back from two goals down to claim a point against Shamrock Rovers’ First Division team on Sunday afternoon to move into second place in the table.

Tallaght Stadium has been used as a COVID-19 testing centre over the last few months so it is great to see football back at the South Dublin venue and those who were in attendance at this behind closed doors match saw a highly entertaining 2-2 draw.

Goals in either half from Mark Doyle and Brandon Bermingham earned a point for the visitors after early goals from Liam Scales and Sean Callan, followed by Mark Hughes' red card, looked to have Rovers in full control.

Aidan Price’s boys must wait another week at least for the Hoops to win their first win of the season with the Hoops having come within eight minutes of a victory against a Drogs side who had a man sent off on 28 minutes.

It was quite the opening 45 minutes in Tallaght Stadium as Rovers raced into a 2-0 lead.

Two Brandon Kavanagh corners from the left were converted for the Hoops thanks to headers  – the first coming from Scales after just 40 seconds. Kavanagh swept it in and Rovers senior squad player Scales ran across the six yard to head home. It was the 21-year-old defender’s first goal for the Hoops.

The second goal came from a deeper corner as Callan raced towards the ball to power it home for a 2-0 lead. It was probably a bit harsh on Drogheda, who had tested Leon Pohls a couple of times prior to that.

First the ‘keeper dropped a James Brown cross and needed to gather at second attempt and then he did well to readjust his feet to gather a Jake Hyland shot.

At the other end David Odumosu did well to smother Kavanagh’s effort as Rovers’ playmaker got on the end of a neat Thomas Oluwa backheel from the edge of the area. Kavanagh bent a free kick around the United wall on 27 minutes but wide of the goal.

A minute later Rovers received a man advantage as Adriano Reale reached for his red card after Mark Hughes lunged in on Scales. Tim Clancy made two quick changes and they were repaid as Doyle got United a goal back just after the half hour mark.

Chris Lyons was the supplier as he feed Doyle in on goal and he made no mistake slotting it home for his second of the season.

Clancy wasn’t happy when he lost one of those subs before the break through injury when Darragh Nugent went in strongly on Luke Heeney. Referee Reale kept his card in his pocket much to Clancy’s ire.

Rovers should have regained their two goal lead nine minutes into the second half. The Hoops hit the post but Oluwa should really have scored after Kavanagh's touch came his way in the box.

The Hoops then hit the woodwork again. A raking Rovers break came from a beautiful Kavanagh ball that set Oluwa wide on the left.

He raced towards the penalty area and squared for Dean Williams, who showed quick footwork to get free and lift the ball it over Odumosu but it clipped the underside of the bar and out to safety from a United point of view.

Price brought on 15-year-old Kevin Zefi with just under 20 minutes – a player who there has been speculation about a move to the continent with Inter Milan and PSV Eindhoven seemingly interested.

His pirouette earned the Hoops another corner but on this occasion Kavanagh’s centre was too long.

Despite being down to ten men, Drogheda worked really hard in the second half and caused plenty of difficulty for the Hoops.

With a quarter of an hour going James Brown’s great run down the left created a chance to cross and, while it went over Lyons’ head, sub Bermingham at the back post got on it but could only hit the side netting.

He made no mistake with his next effort though eight minutes from time. He struck a superb strike from distance right into the top right hand corner of the goal for the equaliser.

Shamrock Rovers: Leon Pohls; Adam Wells, Sean Callan, Liam Scales; Max Murphy (Alex Dunne 83), Sean Brennan (Dean McMenamy 71), Darragh Nugent ©, John Ryan (Dylan Duffy 59); Brandon Kavanagh; Thomas Oluwa (Sinclair Armstrong 83), Dean Williams (Kevin Zefi 71).

Subs not used: Kian Clarke (gk), Jordan Tallon.

Booked: None.

Drogheda United: David Odumosu; James Brown, Hugh Douglas, Mark Hughes, Jack Tuite; Jake Hyland (c), Richie O'Farrell (Luke Heaney 30 [James Clarke 37]), Mark Doyle, Conor Kane; Jordan Adeyemo (Brandon Bermingha 30), Chris Lyons.

Subs not used: Ross Treacy (gk), Stephen Meaney, Ryan O'Shea, Sean Brennan.

Booked: Mark Hughes (28).

Referee: Adriano Reale

Attendance: 0

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Liam Scales (Shamrock Rovers II).