Town’s latest defeat is ‘Ard’ to take

ARDMORE ROVERS DROGHEDA TOWN 4 1

DROGHEDA Town will have to win their final game to improve their points-pergame tally from last season following this heavy-looking defeat by Ardmore Rovers in Bray on Friday evening.

A few weeks ago Robbie Horgan’s side were still in with an outside chance of promotion following a run of four wins, two draws and just one defeat in the period after Christmas, but three losses on the bounce this month mean they are now set for a mid-table finish in the Major Sunday division.

After travelling down to the seaside without their first-choice goalkeeper and most of their back four, Town conceded from a set piece after only five minutes but matched their hosts for the remainder of the first half, which ended 1-0.

Their best chance in that opening period fell to young Callum Cooney, but faced with a one-on-one situation his first touch was too heavy and the opportunity was snuffed out by the Ardmore defence.

Town’s hopes of rescuing something from the game suffered a serious setback soon after halftime as they shipped another goal from a set piece.

For a 15-minute spell they pressed Ardmore back, looking to earn themselves a lifeline, but the visitors were then caught twice on the break to fall 4-0 behind.

The Wicklow men had a player sent off in the 85th minute and shortly after that Town grabbed a consolation goal when a free kick was cleared but pumped back into the box where the Ardmore keeper fumbled, allowing Sam Reilly to tap into the empty net.

Town complete their league programme for 2017/18 with an away game against Corduff on Friday week.

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