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Drogheda United -v- Sporting Fingal
- P.J. Murray
- Thu, May 06 2010
Sporting Fingal make their first trip to Hunky Dorys Park on Friday night to take on an out of sorts Drogheda United who have had on average at least five walking wounded in their squad in recent weeks. (Kick Off 7.45pm)
The First Division champions bring with them an excellent start to the Airtricity Premier Division and are currently third in the table, leading both Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians.
Drogheda on the other hand are performing way below their pre-season expectations and the shoestring squad they can afford is hindering their chances of moving up the table as week after week there is a new name on the injured list.
Fingal were without five defenders for Tuesday’s win over Bray Wanderers, their second 1-0 league victory in five days, and Sporting manager Liam Buckley will continue to be without John Frost (hamstring) and Stephen Paisley (chest). Kenny Browne also remains suspended, this time a one-match ban for accumulating bookings in four matches.
Doubts remain over the availability of Brian Gannon and Shaun Maher, both of whom missed the Bray game with hamstring and knee problems respectively, and the pair will undergo pre-match fitness tests.
Despite their injury woes Buckley has been more than satisfied with the recent displays of his makeshift rearguard.
“We’ve asked lads to slot into unfamiliar positions across the defence and they’ve been first-class. To win the last two matches without conceding a goal is testament to their performances.
“The win against Bray kept us up near the top in third place and we’ll be aiming to keep in the mix throughout the campaign. The competitive nature of the Division this season has meant no team has really set the pace, so it’s important we maintain our form and results.”
Alan McNally, Joe Kendrick, Robbie Martin, Paul Crowley, Michael Daly and John Flood all carry knocks into Friday’s game as Mathews continues to contend with a long injury list. Assessments will be made on all the players on Thursday night ahead of the clash on Friday.
The Boynesiders were once again defeated by a 90th minute goal at Dalymount as Bohemians struck late on Monday to steal all three points and Mathews is hoping his side can bounce back for Friday.
“We are looking to bounce back from Monday night, we should have got something out of the game. But it’s not the first time we have suffered that kind of defeat at Dalymount. I will be looking for a positive response to the defeat.”
Speaking on the 4-1 defeat suffered at Morton earlier in the season Alan Mathews said “that game was a long time ago, we are just focused on getting a result this Friday night.
Drogheda United
Injured:None
Doubtful:Alan McNally, Joe Kendrick, Robbie Martin, Paul Crowley, Michael Daly, John Flood
Suspended:None
Sporting Fingal
Injured:John Frost (hamstring) and Stephen Paisley (chest)
Doubtful:Brian Gannon, Shaun Maher
Suspended:Kenny Browne
Extratime prediction: Fingal Win, 2-0
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.