Drogheda United 3 - 1 U.C.D.

Ten man Drogheda United claimed their first home win in a year with a hard fought but deserved 3-1 victory. A brace from Tiarnan Mulvenna and a clincher from Colin O’Brien saw them home with a Graham Rusk header being the only consolation for UCD.

UCD started well and had the whip hand for about 30 minutes of the first half, with better finishing they would have been home and hosed by half time but all of their chances were either off target or well saved by Steven Trimble in the home goal.

Graham Rusk was the culprit for the visitors missing three good chances in just eight minutes, starting in the 13th minute as put two of them wide and allowed Trimble to save the other with his feet.

As the half wore on the early enthusiasm of the Students began to wane as the Drogs finally started to show some sort of threat with Mulvenna and Corcoran finally beginning to see a bit of supply. They were having most joy down their right as Mark O’Brien started to find room.

The Drogs hit the front on 42 minutes as the O’Brien's combined with Mark sending Colin in free through the inside right channel his pull back found the inrushing Tiarnan Mulvenna at the far post who scooped home left footed from 12 yards.

Martin Russell must have blistered the walls of the dressing room just out of sheer frustration with his charges after their profligate finishing saw them go in behind.

Again UCD started the half brightly with sub Samir Belhout playing a central role in their best moves. He was one on one with Trimble within two minutes of the restart but the Drogs keeper managed to palm the ball across goal where the retreating defence cleared for a corner.

UCD drew level on 58 minutes as a bit of head tennis in the Drogs box resulted in a Belhout header finding Rusk six yards out and his headed touch was just enough to evade the dive of Trimble and find the net. No sooner had the Students caught their breath than Dinny Corcoran sent Mulvenna in behind the backline he drew Barron and placed the ball expertly beyond him to recapture the lead for the home team.

For a good while this sapped the confidence of the visitors but they were handed a lifeline on 76 minutes as two yellows in just seven minutes for Mark O’Brien saw him leave the play early. The Students came on strong and were pressing for an equaliser with Dean Marshall prompting their best stuff from his wide right berth. Late into added time Colin O’Brien sealed the Drogs first home league win in a year when he got free down the outside right channel. He outpaced the UCD defence and fired across Barron to the back of the net from 12 yards.

Mick Cooke will be delighted with the win and they will fancy their chances when they visit Bohs on Friday. UCD are in free fall and despite their neat football are conceding goals like there is no tomorrow and will not face Derry with any confidence at the moment.

Drogheda United: Steven Trimble; Colin O’Brien, Alan McNally, Victor Ekanem, Philip Hand; Mark O’Brien, Brian Gannon, Stephen Quigley (Stephen McCrossan 85), David Freeman; Tiarnan Mulvenna (Mark Nolan 80), Daniel Corcoran.
Subs not used: Aaron Shanahan, Darragh Hanaphy, Darragh McNamara, Robbie Gaul, Robbie Gaul.
Bookings: M O'Brien (70), Gannon (75), Hand (81).

Sent Off: M O'Brien (76).

UCD: Ger Barron; Sean Harding, David O’Connor, Michael Leahy, Caran Nangle; Paul O'Conor, Dean Marshall, Paul Corry, Robbie Benson, Darren Meenan (Samir Belhout 46); Graham Rusk.
Subs not used: Thomas Boyle, Sean Russell, James Kavanagh, Daniel Ledwith, John Kelly, Cillian Morrison.
Bookings: Meenan (30), Belhout (87).

Referee: Padraigh Sutton.
Attendance: 300 (estimate).
extratime.ie Man of the Match: Colin O’Brien (Drogheda United).