Drogheda’s ‘Good’ run halted by bogey men
A cursory glance at any calendar would tell you that Friday, March 30th 2018 was ‘Good Friday’.
For Drogheda United fans though, this was somewhat of a misnomer as Tim Clancy’s unbeaten start to life as Drogheda United manager was brought to a halt in South Dublin.
Friday’s defeat away to Cabinteely now means that in three attempts the Boynesiders have failed to win at Stradbrook Road as Cabo appear to be somewhat of a bogey team for the Drogs. However they finally managed to score at Stradbrook, having failed to hit the target in their two previous visits to Blackrock.
When this game is reviewed, Clancy and Co will see that all three points were there for the taking, a series of unfortunate mistakes cost them. The silver lining is that it’s still so early in the season and the defeat came on a night when all the other First Division hopefuls dropped points, so there has been very little damage done.
Clancy welcomed Lee Duffy back into the team, the striker having recovered from injury. Collie Deasey was also available for selection following his one game suspension. Luke Rossiter didn’t travel with the team as the 19-year-old awaits the findings of an internal disciplinary committee following a disgusting tweet regarding the Belfast Rape trial.
Clancy’s side were behind inside four minutes. Kieran Marty Waters was played through in midfield and he was brought down by a clumsy tackle from Conor Kane. From the resulting free, the ball was pumped into the box and a mis-communication between keeper and defence saw Paul Skinner and Ciaran Kelly collide and leave Marty Waters unmarked to head into an empty net.
Drogheda piled on the pressure following the concession but their selection with the final ball left a lot to be desired. Richard Purdy whipped in a corner from the left on 13 minutes and Kevin Farragher rose highest but his glancing header was wide.
Both sides were trying to play ball but the very poor conditions made that difficult. The front two combo of Gareth McCaffrey and Duffy were industrious in their effort and Duffy almost latched onto a route one pass from Skinner midway through the half, only to be blown up for offside.
On the half hour mark Kealon Dillon lofted a ball over the top for Mark Doyle to chase down and the midfielder got into a great position but he appeared to hesitate and rather than shoot he attempted a cross to the back post for Duffy but it was too wide.
Drogheda’s leveller came from nothing as a hopeful ball forward saw former Drogheda number one, Stephen McGuinness leave his line and about six yards outside the box he smashed into Owen Stokes. This allowed the ball bounce to the unmarked Gareth McCaffrey and the former Cabinteely player rolled the ball into an empty net.
The injury to McGuinness appeared bad and full credit to the Drogheda bench as they sent physio Dave Cooke straight in to help with the injured duo. There was a seven minute delay at halftime and this proved costly.
Mark Doyle, from a throw-in, released the ball into space and to no-one in particular and Marty-Waters nipped in to steal possession before being fouled by Jake Hyland. From the freekick Stephen Ball brilliantly blasted the shot into the top corner, leaving Skinner with no chance.
There were changes to both sides at half-time as McGuinness was withdrawn for Finn McGowan who was making his debut for Cabo. Colm Deasy was introduced in place of Dillon for Drogheda.
Drogheda’s chance of a leveller came just two minutes after the re-start, a Purdy corner fell to Farragher and the defender with his back to goal was hauled down and the referee, Robert Hennessy, pointed to the spot.
Both Duffy and McCaffrey went for the ball, but instructions from the bench indicated that it was McCaffrey to take the kick. His effort though was saved by the debutant and hacked away.
Things got worse for Drogheda on the hour mark when Ball completed his brace. There was very little Skinner could do from the close range shot as Marty Waters provided the assist.
Deasy’s introduction was giving Drogheda some traction down the right and with 20 minutes to go the wing back was unfortunate that underfoot conditions let him down. He was put through and capitalised on a slip in the Cabo defence with at the final moment he too lost his footing and was closed down, unable to get a cross into the box.
The hosts were funnelling everyone back in an effort to close out the game. Kieran Butler was carded for pulling down Stephen Meaney when the youngster looked to be through. However Purdy’s freekick was high and over.
Drogheda were still trying to link play with time running down when maybe it would have been more prudent to loft the ball into the box. With four minutes to go the visitors set up a grand stand finish. Doyle beat several defenders in a mazy run down the left before he shot from an acute angle. McGowan could only palm the ball into the path of McCaffrey who smashed the ball home.
Drogheda almost fell further behind though when Skinner was caught completely in no-man’s land by Marty Waters who was forced wide, however his looped shot was cleared off the line by Deasy.
The three minutes of additional time afforded Drogheda no chances to try and salvage a draw as they fell to a first defeat of the season. They face a game against the side who have leap frogged them to the top of the table, UCD, on Friday at United Park. It will be another chance to measure themselves against a side who will undoubtedly be in the mix come the end of the season. Kick-off is 7:45pm.