Subs make difference in Town victory
DROGHEDA TOWN CORDUFF 3 0
DROGHEDA Town lost last season’s equivalent fixture against Corduff 5-2 but gained sweet revenge when recording a comprehensive win at DIFE last week.
In an entertaining first half, Corduff created plenty of good chances to go in front but were denied by some fantastic saves from keeper Aaron Shanahan and some good defending.
Instead, it was the home side who broke the deadlock after only nine minutes - and you’d be hard pressed to see a better strike all season.
A long throw from Andy Hickey was only half cleared and when the ball fell to Sam Reilly inside the box he sent a cushioned volley back towards Cormac Reid.
From 25 yards Reid executed a perfect volley into the top corner of the net with exquisite technique, a goal that would grace any league in the world.
The scoreline stayed that way until half-time and at the break the hosts were forced to make a change, with Jordan Kelly coming on for the injured Andrew Tinley.
The second goal was always going to be crucial and it arrived for Drogheda Town on 58 minutes from another long throw. Hickey hurled the ball from half-way inside his own half towards substitute Kelly whose flick released the on-rushing Darren Kavanagh out on the right.
Kavanagh then played a sublime reverse pass back into the path of Kelly, who had continued his run, and he dinked a superb finish into the roof of the net.
The icing on the cake was a third goal, scored in injury time, when another of the substitutes, Kevin Dunne, turned his man in the box before finishing low and hard across the Corduff keeper.
All three goals on the night were of high quality, but Shanahan’s saves and the back four’s defending also contributed hugely to the result against a talented Corduff side.
Robbie Horgan’s side were due to host Muirhevnamor from the North East Football League in an FAI Junior Cup tie at Blackstone Motors Marian Park last Friday night, but it was called off following a 4pm pitch inspection called after a deluge of rain fell in the afternoon.