Drogheda United -v- Derry City

• P.J. Murray
• Thu, Apr 30 2009


A stuttering Derry City travel to Drogheda this Friday night looking to get their season back on track after some rather undesirable results of late.
The Candystripes are situated in third at present, two points behind Cork City and just above Shamrock Rovers on goal difference. Meanwhile, Drogheda remain rooted to the foot of the table and after Dundalk’s win last week the Boynesiders are now five points adrift.

Form
Derry succumbed to a shock loss at home to Dundalk last week, losing 1-0 after failing to control the game and impose themselves on their opposition. This marks a series of bad result for Stephen Kenny’s men who have taken just five points from a potential fifteen.
Drogheda, on the other hand, only managed a 0-0 draw at home to a Sligo side who for the last period of the game were down to nine men. Alan Mathews' side are really only lacking a goal scorer at present, as their quality in all other areas is certainly not reflected in their current league position. Drogheda have only been beaten twice at home so far this season, drawing the other three of their five home fixtures so far, whereas Derry have yet to taste defeat on their travels. The Northerners have secured two wins and two draws so far on the road this season.

Manager's View
Alan Mathews reiterated the fact that he is not panicking and is remaining positive about his sides chances of survival. Of the upcoming fixture the Drogheda manager had this to say: “Derry will feel that they have a point to prove on Friday night. Stephen Kenny and his players will be looking for a reaction following a couple of results which I’m sure weren’t anticipated. Stephen is a good manager and we’re going to have to be mindful of the response from his team to their previous results.
“We know that it’s vital that we match Derry in every respect. It’s important to get our own game going from the first whistle, influence the game, and not get distracted from our own job. Derry are going to be challenging on all fronts this season. Bohemians, the league leaders, came to United Park, and we matched them for large periods and deserved a draw. There’s no reason why we can’t match Derry like we did Bohemians, but once again we need to put the ball in the back of the net.
“We’re doing a lot of things right on the pitch, and when we have everyone fit I’d hope that we can convert more of our opportunities, and I feel we will begin turning draws into wins.” Stephen Kenny is confident that his side can get something from their trip to United Park this Friday and speaking to derrycityfc.net about the game he said: “We’ve done well on the road this term and I want that to continue against Drogheda. They will be no pushovers on home soil and have drawn there against Shamrock Rovers, Sligo and Bray.
“We’ll be going out to beat Drogheda. They have lost a number of quality players, but that doesn’t mean that we have a divine right to win. I haven’t pencilled-in our starting line-up against Drogheda but there’s every possibility that a couple of changes will be made."

Team News
Drogheda are once again going into another Friday night with a depleted squad, Robbie Martin is back in training but won’t feature against Derry City. Robbie Farrell (knee) and John Paul Kelly (ankle) are medium-term injuries rather than short-term. William Woods went off injured against Sligo Rovers and is a doubt, while Eoghan Osbourne has a torn calf.
Long term injury worries Shane Barrett and Paul Crowley are still out. Derry also have some concerns of their own as Gareth McGlynn and Clive Delaney are doubtful for Friday. Defender Steven Gray will have a fitness test before kick off to see if he can play.

Extratime Prediction: 1-1 - Drogheda United have put up some dogged performances at home and Derry will find it hard to break them down. I think Drogheda may pick up their fourth point of the season.