UCD 1 - 1 Drogheda United

• Eimear Taaffe
• Sat, Sep 04 2010


UCD and Drogheda United played out a 1-1 draw at the UCD Bowl on Friday night.

The Students dominated the entire first half and showed a more skilful and cohesion unit throughout. They had a chance in the opening minutes, but it flew left and wide. Drogheda too had an early chance, which struck the upright to keep the scoreline even.

UCD needed an early sub with Ciaran Nangle injured on the five minute mark but, despite the change, the home team showed more creativity across the pitch.

Ciaran Kilduff opened the scoring after twenty one minutes. Keith Ward fed a the ball to Rusk, who in turn played it back to Ward, who then set up Kilduff for his eleventh goal of the season. The rest of the half continued in the same vein, as the visitors were living on the edge.

At the break John Flood was sprung from the bench to replace McNamara for United. Drogheda started the second half well and began to play with purpose. Eric McGill fed the ball into McMahon but his strike was saved by the keeper. The rebounding ball was followed up by Flood but it was cleared off the line.

However it was after this that the game was sparked into life. Robbie Creevy received two yellow cards within a minute, leading to his departure from the field of play for an early shower. The second yellow card saw referee Rogers award Drogheda United a spot kick. Striker Fitzpatrick converted for his fourth goal of the 2010 calender, making him the Boynesiders top goal scorer. With Drogheda on the front foot, UCD down to ten men and the score at one all, it seemed that perhaps the Fortunes of the visitors was about to change.

The game flowed well with chances at either end, with both keepers being kept busy. John Flood turned provider to feed a ball into Meenan but he couldn't get the ball out from under his feet. Again Drogheda attacked and minutes later Fitzpatrick was on the end of a chance after chipping the defence but missing the target.

Dwyane Wilson replaced UCD's midfielder KeithWard on 80minutes, and had a chance as soon as he came on. On 82 Kilduff had a brilliant attempt on goal that had Duggan worried in the United net. The defence stood tall, calling for the offside flag but it never came, instead Ciaran Kilduff played on and almost scored his second.

And so it ended as it began, a share of the spoils for both UCD and Drogheda United. The all important game ending the run of losses for both. However with Bray Wanderers claiming victory over Dundalk, the gap at the foot of the league table shrinks again, with only eight matches left.

UCD: Billy Brennan; Paul O'Connor, Ciaran Nangle (Gareth Matthews, 5), Michael Leahy, Evan McMillan; Greg Bolger, Keith Ward (Dwayne Wilson, 80), Robbie Creevy, Karl Moore (Paul Corry, 62); Graham Rusk, Ciaran Kilduff.
Subs not used: Samir Belhout, Ger Barron.

Drogheda United: Robert Duggan; Yael Haro, Alan McNally, Mick Daly,Eric McGill; Conor Sinnott (Kevin Ross, 90), Darren Meenan, Peter McMahon (Ronan McEnteggart, 75), Ryan Brennan; Darragh McNamara (John Flood, 45), Glen Fitzpatrick.
Subs not used: Paul Skinner, Eoghan Osbourne

Referee: Rob Rogers
Attendence: 345
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Ciaran Kilduff