UCD 1-0 Drogheda Utd

UCD came out on top in an entertaining game against Drogheda United on Friday night, thanks to a well taken Bring King goal after just ten minutes. The Students played some great football throughout, and were full value for the three points. With Finn Harps losing, Galway United beating Cork, and Cobh Ramblers to play tomorrow, things are looking tight at the bottom of the eircom Premier Division.

The result means that Drogheda have picked up just two points from a possible nine in their three most recent games – all against the leagues bottom three sides. They are now five points behind Derry City, with a game more played, and looking less likely by the game of catching the Candystripes.

UCD took the lead with the games first opening. Pat McWalter got forward on the left and sent what looked like an easily defendable cross into the box. It fell kindly for Brian King, and despite the attempts of both Graham Gartland and Joe Kendrick, he smashed it past Jamie Ewings with a low, powerful, right footed drive.

Drogheda had a decent chance to pull level just two minutes later, but Shaun Maher sent his header inside the box high and wide. Eamon Zayed, who had hit six goals in his previous seven games, was the only visiting player looking anyway interested at times. He nearly set up Shane Robinson nicely midway through the half, but the Waterford native lost his footing in the box at the crucial moment. Zayed then fired wide from a tight angle on the right-hand side.

Just after the hour mark UCD cut through Drogheda with a slick passing move. Timmy Purcell had time to turn forty yards or so from goal and picked out Darren Meenan on the right wing. Meenan took it under his control instantly, and whipped a return ball into the box, a couple of yards behind the Drogheda defenders. Purcell burst into the box, but was a few inches short of making contact.

Meenan was in the thick of things again ten minutes before the break. He combined well with Shane McFaul and Brian King to force a corner. Shane Duggan delivered it into the box with swerve, and only a brave header from Maher under his own crossbar prevented Pete Mahons side from going two up.

At this stage Drogheda were looking disjointed, and were unable to hold on to the ball for any significant period of time. Purcell was again afforded time to turn, before slipping a clever diagonal ball through for King to run on it. King brought it past the out rushing Ewings, but his cutback into the box came to nothing.

The final five minutes of the half were full of action. Robinson flashed a shot across the face of Matt Gregg’s goal, while at the other end the impressive King saw his effort from twenty five yards deflected just wide of the upright. Then, right on the stroke of half time, Ollie Cahill saw his shot from thirty yards clip the outside of the woodwork.

The travelling Drogheda fans waited for the second half, hoping that they would see a massive improvement in their side’s application, effort and performance – but they were to be disappointed.

The normally infallible Brian Shelley was outmanoeuvred and beaten for pace by McWalter, before King picked out Duggan at the back post with a delightful cross. Duggan opted to strike it first time on the volley, but it lacked direction and Drogheda were let off the hook again.

The pacy Meenan was brought to ground by Ewings outside the box with twelve minutes left on the clock. The Scottish keeper could easily have seen red, but referee Tonmey showed restraint and felt a yellow was more appropriate.

In the dying minutes Drogheda was presented with a gilt edged opportunity to secure his side a point. Robinson received the ball from Ibrahima Iyane Thiam’s knockdown, but the midfielder who had a penalty saved on Tuesday against Cobh, saw his well struck shot from ten yards brilliantly saved by Gregg.

UCD: Matt Gregg; Alan Mahon (Brian Shortall 62), Conor Kenna, Alan McNally, Ian Bermingham; Brian King, Shane McFaul (Ronan Finn 46), Shane Duggan, Pat McWalter; Timmy Purcell (Shane Fitzgerald 90), Darren Meenan.
Subs not used: Billy Brennan.

Drogheda United: Jamie Ewings; Brian Shelley, Shaun Maher, Graham Gartland, Joe Kendrick (Sami Ristila 73); Richie Baker (Ibrahim Iyane Thiam 67), Paul Keegan, Shane Robinson, Ollie Cahill; Eamon Zayed, Fahrudin Kuduzovic (Adam Hughes 46).
Subs not used: Paul Skinner, John Tambouras.

Referee: Derek Tomney.

Attendance: 377