Win would put Drogs on course

VICTORY at home to Sligo Rovers this Friday would put Drogheda United on course to survive relegation against all the odds.

That’s the view of manager Pete Mahon whose team will exceed his points target for the first round of games if they can account for the Bit O’Red at United Park (kickoff 7.45pm).

It was a working party led by the late broadcaster Jimmy Hill who paved the way for three points for a win nigh on 40 years ago, citing the need to encourage teams not to settle for draws.

And the rule is certainly benefiting the Drogs this season, as they currently stand seven points clear of draw specialists Galway, whereas the bottom club would be just three worse off under the old system.

United’s latest result, a 2-0 success away to Finn Harps, made it four wins from 10 games, and with the current bottom three next up in the fixture schedule Mahon is anxious that his team take full advantage and build some momentum.

However, he is expecting nothing easy against a Sligo Rovers side who will have Gerard Lyttle in the dugout for the first time this Friday, the former Cliftonville boss having just taken charge following the departure of Dave Robertson.

Lyttle was watching from the sidelines last Saturday as Sligo drew 1-1 with Derry City in the North West derby and he’ll be anxious to turn around the fortunes of the Bit O’Red who have probably under-performed in recent seasons, given their relatively healthy budget.

Asked to account for Drogheda’s current three-point advantage over this week’s opponents, Mahon responded: ‘I think everybody has more resources than us, but it’s how you spend it and use it.

‘We have a group of players who would not be on great money, but they give 100% every week and nobody can accuse them of a lack of effort.’

Wary of the Sligo squad being rejuvenated by a new man in charge, Mahon believes a positive result will be vital against a team who he feels are likely to climb the table in the weeks and months ahead.

‘Teams often do get a bounce from a new manager, but look, we’re playing at home after being on the road for two weeks with lots of travelling, so it’s good to be back at United Park,’ the manager responded.

‘I have seen Sligo play and they have some very, very good players and I don’t expect them to be down there for too long.

‘It’s a crucial match for us. We set ourselves a target of 13 or 14 points in the first round of games and it would be great if we could pass that. Look at the amount of draws Galway have had [five]. If we could get the win you can see how much of a difference three points would make.

‘We have to throw a shape here because there’s some very difficult matches ahead of us.’

It’s a case of getting more points in the bag as quickly as possible, Mahon acknowledged, as the games with Sligo, Galway and St Pat’s are followed by successive matches against Cork City, Bray Wanderers and Derry City leading up to the summer mini-break, with the second Louth derby to follow soon after.

But their confidence will be boosted by last week’s result in Ballybofey.

‘It was very, very important that we bounced back from the previous week’s debacle in Limerick,’ Mahon added.

‘It was a good win for us and the teams below us drew or got beaten.

‘We were much better organised and we played a more direct game than we have been doing. We had a couple of chances before we scored, and then after we scored we had another great chance with Gavin Brennan.

‘After the break they dominated, mainly through Paddy McCourt, but they missed two good chances and we weathered the storm at the end and got our second goal.’

Mahon was anxiously awaiting news of possible yellow card suspensions as we went to press, but Sean Brennan has served his ban for the sending-off against Shamrock Rovers and his brother Killian was hoping to get the allclear last night to resume playing after recovering from a broken collarbone.

Jake Hyland (hamstring) is ruled out for the second game running and Lloyd Buckley remains sidelined for a few more weeks.