- Rónán MacNamara
- Sat, Mar 05 2022
Rónán MacNamara reports from Head in the Game Park
A brace from Chris Lyons helped Drogheda United pick up their first win of the season as they overcame UCD 4-2 in an eventful game at Head in the Game Park.
Two stunners saw the home side take control, first from Gary Deegan and then Lyons doubled their advantage.
Lyons made it 3-0 on the stroke of half time before Sam Todd pulled one back shortly after the restart.
Dean Williams opened his account for Drogheda on his first start before Liam Kerrigan made the score line more respectable late on.
It’s Kevin Doherty’s first win as Drogheda United boss and lifts the Claret and Blue off the bottom of the Premier Division.
The Boynesiders entered the game pointless from their opening two encounters while UCD travelled north after successive scoreless draws to open their campaign.
The Students settled better early on but for all their dominance it was Drogheda who had the first chance, and what a chance it was for Williams who finished poorly from 12 yards as Lorcan Healy held his effort.
The hosts took the lead after 20 minutes when Deegan rifled home from 20 yards after the ball ran loose from a Williams cross.
Four minutes later Drogs doubled their advantage in stunning style after Lyons curled in a beautiful left-footed effort into the top corner past a hapless Healy.
Drogheda controlled the remainder of the opening half with Darragh Markey dictating proceedings, linking up well with Lyons and Williams.
Andy Myler’s side had a mountain to climb if they were to get back into the game and that task became more unlikely when Lyons turned home Georgie Poynton’s chipped cross just before the interval.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first and Evan Caffrey should have pulled one back for the visitors just four minutes after the interval, but they were given a lifeline when Todd neatly volleyed Liam Kerrigan’s in swinging corner home from close range five minutes later.
It was UCD’s first goal in the Premier Division this season.
The next goal was going to be crucial bellowed Andy Myler but unfortunately for UCD it was Drogheda who restored their three-goal advantage just after the hour. Williams deservedly adding his name to the scoresheet after he fired the ball low and hard past Healy into the far corner after Markey slipped him in on the right.
Such was the venom in the former Shamrock Rovers striker’s shot there was a stoppage in play to check the netting was still up to standard.
UCD made sure Drogheda were kept honest for the final few minutes as they halved the deficit with eight minutes to play.
It was goalkeeper to goalkeeper as Healy’s free-kick was punched poorly by Colin McCabe allowing Kerrigan to deliver a beautifully weighted volley into an empty net from 25 yards.
The grandstand finish was not forthcoming as Drogheda held on for a big three points to leapfrog UCD in the table who are now bottom and winless in their opening four games.
To quote the buoyant home support: Drogheda put on a show.
Drogheda United: Colin McCabe; Dane Massey (c), Sean Roughan (Keith Cowan 73), Evan Weir; Mark Hughes, Gary Deegan, James Clarke (Darragh Nugent 62), Darragh Markey, George Poynton; Chris Lyons, Dean Williams.
Subs not used: Aaron Davis, Andrew Quinn, Mohammad Boudiaf, Charles Mutawe, Killian Cailloce, Evan Haddock.
Booked: Gary Deegan (81).
Sent off: None.
UCD: Lorcan Healy; Evan Osam, John Ryan, Sam Todd, Eric Yoro; Liam Kerrigan, Jack Keaney (c), Dylan Duffy (Donal Higgins 46), Evan Caffrey (Adam Lennon 76), Adam Verdon (Daniel Norris 46); Colm Whelan.
Subs not used: Kian Moore, Luke Boore, Matthew Scott, Michael Gallagher, Alex Dunne, Alex Nolan.
Booked: None.
Sent off: None.
Referee: Kevin O'Sullivan.
Attendance: 2024
extratime.com Player of the Match: Chris Lyons
