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Drogheda United -v- Dundalk
- P.J. Murray
- Fri, Oct 02 2009
There may be a derby taking place in Dublin, but all eyes in the North East will be focused on United Park as Drogheda host fierce local rivals Dundalk in the final Louth derby of the season, kick off at 7.45pm.
A win for Drogheda would not only finally give them one over their opponents but also move them closer to mid table and keep their slim chances of avoiding a relegation playoff alive. Dundalk on the other hand are safe and would look to end the mini-series without a loss certainly giving the Lilywhites all the bragging rights for this season.
Team News
Drogheda welcome back Paul Shiels and Alan Mathews will go into the game with a fully fit squad while Dundalk will be without the services of Alex Williams and Michael McGowan who are both suspended. The Lilywhites will also have to plan without the services of James Creaney who is still carrying a knock.
Managers Views
Drogheda manager Alan Mathews feels that his side owe the fans a win in the fourth and final Louth derby of the season,
“Dundalk have a good squad with a lot of good players. This is the last Louth derby of the season and we would like to go out on a high. To be honest we haven’t done as well in these games as we should. We have been beaten twice and that’s not good enough so Friday is our last chance to put this right.
No three points has been easy in this league, but we need to maximise our opportunities and build on results week in and week out.”
This is a massive game for the fans and we owe it to them to get something from this.”
Recent Form
Drogheda are coming into this game on the back of a battling, if quite scrappy, win against Bray at the Carlisle grounds. After the loss at home to Derry Alan Mathews had some very harsh words for his players; infantile was a description given to the defending, and it seemed to work as they came away with the win in the following game.
Dundalk also come into this game on the back of a more convincing victory. Sean Connor’s side recorded a solid three-nil win at home to Galway United last week, however, their form has been sketchy having recorded loss-win-loss-win in their last four games.
Recent Meetings
Of the three league meetings between the sides, Dundalk are sure to be the happier with two wins and a draw. A 3-0 win at Oriel began this miniseries in excellent fashion for Dundalk, Drogheda managed to hold their rivals in the next meeting, a come from behind 1-1 at United Park saving some face but Dundalk then trounced Mathews men 4-2 in the most recent meeting.
There have been at least one red card in each league meeting between the teams so far, Drogheda winning that one with two players dismissed to Dundalk’s one.
Extratime Prediction: Dundalk to go unbeaten by their local foes this season
About P.J. Murray
P.J. generally covers Drogheda games at HD Park and can generally be found at any Dublin ground when of a loose end on a Friday night.