Drogheda United -v- Sligo Rovers
Credit:
Mick Cooke and his Drogheda United outfit welcome a fully fit Sligo Rovers to Hunky Dorys Park on the back of the Bit O’ Red’s impressive 3-1 victory over Bray Wanderers earlier in the week (Kick-off 7.45pm).
While Sligo currently sit in third position in the Premier Division, their opposition are currently struggling at the foot of the table. Rover’s defender Jason McGuinness will relish the bus journey west, knowing he has a fully fit squad to play alongside him; although will be wary of a side that has yet to win this season.
"Drogheda will be another hard test on Friday night. We were happy with the way we played on Tuesday night. After giving away the goal against Bray it was important we kept our heads up and reacted in the best way possible. We have to take that into the next game now.
"Our players are always capable of putting a lot of passes together and putting teams under pressure as we did in second half against Bray. We’re going to go down there looking to get three points and try to stay as high as up in the table in as possible. We take each game as it comes so we’ll be up for the challenge Drogheda will pose."
Drogheda face Sligo on the back of two defeats at the hands of Bohemians and most recently Derry City, although Cooke believes disappointment loomed as a point from each game was achievable, if not deserved.
“Sligo had a great win on Tuesday in the Showgrounds thanks to a superb hat-trick by Eoin Doyle thus putting them in 3rd position in the table. Their form has been somewhat unpredictable so far this season with some expected wins but surprising defeats. They are a very impressive side on form and this will be a tough game for us.
“I am disappointed that we haven’t been able to get at least 2 points out of our last 2 games. I believe that we acquitted ourselves well in the second half of the game against Bohs last Friday and, although it is always tough going to play in the Brandywell, we could easily have come away with a point in Derry on Tuesday night.
“In both games it was unfortunate that several penalty decisions went against us and that we were unable to force the draw. It was very frustrating to create so many chances but to come away empty-handed and, once again, inexperience cost us dearly.”
Sligo should have enough strength in depth to stave off a Drogheda challenge, although United cannot be overlooked as their hunger for the first win of the season grows stronger. Keeping Bohemians to a 1-0 defeat at Hunky Dory’s Park will encourage the likes of Philip Hand, Mark O’Brien and David Hanaphy to give their fans the first three points of the season.
Drogheda United
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Sligo Rovers
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Referee: Neil Doyle.
Extratime prediction: Sligo win
While Sligo currently sit in third position in the Premier Division, their opposition are currently struggling at the foot of the table. Rover’s defender Jason McGuinness will relish the bus journey west, knowing he has a fully fit squad to play alongside him; although will be wary of a side that has yet to win this season.
"Drogheda will be another hard test on Friday night. We were happy with the way we played on Tuesday night. After giving away the goal against Bray it was important we kept our heads up and reacted in the best way possible. We have to take that into the next game now.
"Our players are always capable of putting a lot of passes together and putting teams under pressure as we did in second half against Bray. We’re going to go down there looking to get three points and try to stay as high as up in the table in as possible. We take each game as it comes so we’ll be up for the challenge Drogheda will pose."
Drogheda face Sligo on the back of two defeats at the hands of Bohemians and most recently Derry City, although Cooke believes disappointment loomed as a point from each game was achievable, if not deserved.
“Sligo had a great win on Tuesday in the Showgrounds thanks to a superb hat-trick by Eoin Doyle thus putting them in 3rd position in the table. Their form has been somewhat unpredictable so far this season with some expected wins but surprising defeats. They are a very impressive side on form and this will be a tough game for us.
“I am disappointed that we haven’t been able to get at least 2 points out of our last 2 games. I believe that we acquitted ourselves well in the second half of the game against Bohs last Friday and, although it is always tough going to play in the Brandywell, we could easily have come away with a point in Derry on Tuesday night.
“In both games it was unfortunate that several penalty decisions went against us and that we were unable to force the draw. It was very frustrating to create so many chances but to come away empty-handed and, once again, inexperience cost us dearly.”
Sligo should have enough strength in depth to stave off a Drogheda challenge, although United cannot be overlooked as their hunger for the first win of the season grows stronger. Keeping Bohemians to a 1-0 defeat at Hunky Dory’s Park will encourage the likes of Philip Hand, Mark O’Brien and David Hanaphy to give their fans the first three points of the season.
Drogheda United
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Sligo Rovers
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Referee: Neil Doyle.
Extratime prediction: Sligo win
About Aidan Farrelly
Aidan Farrelly joined the extratime team in mid 2010. A Kildare native, Aidan reports on St. Patrick's Athletic as well as other Dublin Clubs. Aidan can be contacted at: farrelly.aidan@gmail.com View Full Profile