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Dundalk FC -v- Drogheda United FC
- Keith Wallace
- Thu, Mar 19 2009
Table proppers Dundalk will be looking for their first goal and points of 2009 when they entertain near neighbours and the team directly above them in the standings Drogheda United at Oriel Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm) in the first Premier Division Louth derby in 11 years.
Fruitless
Both teams have endured a difficult start to the season and have yet to find a single goal between them in their opening two games. Dundalk began the campaign with an encouraging display but ultimately disappointing defeat by Bohemians before again losing 1-0 at Galway United last weekend. Drogheda, on the other hand, put their first point on the board last Friday thanks to a scoreless at home to Bray Wanderers, a stalemate which followed a narrow opening day loss at Derry City.
Sole goal
Given such form, Dundalk boss Sean Connor is expecting a tight encounter. “I expect a very hard-fought match with probably only one goal between the sides,” Connor said. “We are going to have to work very hard to win this match. But I am confident that we can produce a performance that will get the Dundalk fans cheering and set us on our way. We have worked very hard in training all week. The players came back to training after the Galway match with a great desire and hunger to get things right following the events in Galway. There is nobody panicking after the two defeats. I believe that we were unlucky on both counts.
Gelling period
“Against Bohs we had a couple of strong penalty claims and Michael Daly hit the bar. I have absolutely no doubt that if we had kept eleven men on the pitch against Galway then we would have got a point from that game. People were positive about the team after the game against Bohs but the defeat in Galway has unsettled a few people. I suppose it has the affect of dampening down expectations a bit. It’s going to take this team 10-12 games to gel and settle down. We need to get some points on the board as soon as possible. I am more than happy with our preparations for the Drogheda match and the players are very much up for it.”
Oriel return
Also motivated for the clash will be seven of Dundalk’s title-winning team from last year who are now at Drogheda. Included among those is Robbie Farrell, who was the Lilywhites’ top scorer with 11 league goals last season. “I’m looking forward to going back to Oriel Park,” Farrell said. “I had a great year there last year. While it will be great going back, obviously the most important thing is that we get our first three points on the board. As it’s the Louth derby, the first league one in eight years, there might be a bit of an added edge to the game. There always is in derby games.
Steady improvement
“We’ve played well so far this season and I believe we’re improving day by day in training, and also match by match. We’ve only conceded one goal which gives us confidence. It’s not a cause for concern that we haven’t scored yet as we know that there’s a lot of players in the squad who are capable of getting a goal or two, and not just the strikers. Obviously being a striker, I want to score, but I’ll be happy as long as we win. It doesn’t matter who scores the goals. It’s all about getting points on the board.
Realistic
“We were disappointed that we didn’t beat Bray last week as we had plenty of possession and we created a few good chances. We have a relatively young squad of players, but even though they’re young in age, they have plenty of experience of playing in the League of Ireland. And because of that, we believe we’re always capable of getting a result against any opposition. The support has been excellent so far this season, and I think the Drogheda supporters are realistic. They know it’s going to be a tough season.”
Wafer thin
Dundalk’s already thin squad will be without defender Simon Kelly who serves an automatic suspension after his dismissal in Galway, while midfielder Mickey Collins will miss out again because of problems with his international clearance. As a result, youth player Marc Griffin could be named among the substitutes to make up a squad of 16. Drogheda, on the other hand, report a clean bill of health, though midfielder Paul Crowley, who scored ten goals for Dundalk last term, is only fit enough to take his place on the bench.
extratime.ie prediction: Dundalk to win and keep a clean sheet at 5/2 looks more tempting than the 10/11 on a home win. 1-0.
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