MARCUS CAVAROLI
DROGHEDA United’s star man in their opening-night win at Cobh Ramblers believes they’re due a slice of luck when they play host to Longford Town in the First Division’s match of the day this Friday.
The midlanders won 3-0 and 2-1 at Bishopsgate and 1-0 away in their fixtures against the Drogs last season, but Chris Lyons believes those results don’t tell the full story and he can’t wait to face Daire Doyle’s side on home territory.
‘Longford look decent this year - they’ve always looked decent and they’re sort of our bogey team, but we’ll prepare right come Monday and then we’ll give it a good lash and try and get the three points again,’ Lyons began.
Asked why Longford had the Indian sign over Drogheda in 2019, taking nine points out of nine despite finishing below Tim Clancy’s side in the table, Lyons said controversial decisions had a significant bearing on the results.
‘There’s nothing to it and I don’t really worry about them,’ he responded.
‘Last year I got three goals disallowed against them which [I know] weren’t offside because they were on video. Those decisions could have changed the game.
‘They will be tough for anyone to play against and maybe they are our bogey team, but hopeful next week we can put that right.’
The bookies believes Drogheda are best placed to win the First Division title this year, with Longford just behind them in the betting, but Lyons rejected the theory that favouritism puts added pressure on the squad and management.
‘As we do, we just play each game as it comes because it’s all we can do. Tonight we came down here and got the three points and put the first win on the board and got the clean sheet for the lads.
‘Everyone’s delighted to get it done because I’d say teams will come here and get bet.’
Lyons acknowledged that the game wouldn’t have been the prettiest to watch, but he pointed to mitigating circumstances.
‘It’s a good start for us. It’s hard enough to come down and play because the pitch was horrendous, to be fair.
‘The first half was a bit of a scrap. Everyone was settling down and you had to get used to the pitch and try to hold the ball up. It was windy as well, but in the second half we did well. We dominated and they didn’t really threaten us that much besides Dave [Odumosu] making one save.
‘Besides that, we could have been four or five up if we’d been a bit more clinical - that will come.
‘It’s a good night for everyone - for myself to get off the mark with a goal and a clean sheet for the defenders. [Goalkeeper] Dave has been excellent all the way through pre-season. He’s only a young lad, but he’s commanding, his kicking and catching are good and his shot-stopping is different class to be fair to him.
‘So I’m delighted for him and delighted for Brandon [Bermingham] getting his debut as well.’
The result came on the back of a pre-season in which Drogheda lost all six games they played - against Dundalk, Bohemians, St Patrick’s, Derry City, Sligo Rovers and Cliftonville. However, Lyons felt those results carried no significance going into the new league campaign.
‘Last week [against Cliftonville] we didn’t play great at all, but it’s pre-season and you could lose every game and win the first league match. It’s just a thing that happens.
‘Pre-season is pre-season - no injuries and get yourself fit and then get into the real stuff and tonight was a good start for us.’