Drogs Under-15s take positive
DUNDALK DROGHEDA UNITED 2 0
ALTHOUGH the final scoreline in this SSE Airtricity League U-15 derby played last Saturday seems fairly decisive in Dundalk’s favour, Drogheda United contested strongly and suffered some bad luck in front of goal.
Due to the state of the pitch at United Park, this match was switched to Oriel Park where it kicked off in bright sunshine, and in the early stages Dundalk were in control, moving the ball quickly to a strong-running front two.
However, Drogheda’s tackling was strong and decisive and with about 15 minutes gone they were starting to find their feet in the game and forcing a few free kicks in good positions.
On 20 minutes Drogheda keeper Jack McCarthy got down well to save a dangerous Dundalk attack, but the Drogs continued to press the home defence and on 28 minutes Josh Wall shot over the bar from a good position.
The deadlock was broken just after the half-hour mark when the home side were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box and they took the lead with a brilliantly-struck curling effort into the corner of McCarthy’s net.
The Boynesiders went in 1-0 down at half-time but in good heart and from the restart they pressed forward. Nine minutes in, striker Francis Campbell was fouled in the penalty area in the Drogs’ opinion, but instead the referee awarded a free kick to Dundalk.
Undeterred, Campbell got possession just outside the box, made space for himself