United stunned by late Athlone blitz

DROGHEDA UNITED ATHLONE TOWN 1 3

DROGHEDA United Under-17s led for most of this SSE Airtricity League Northern Division contest but ended up on the losing side as visitors Athlone struck three times in the last 15 minutes.

The Boynesiders got off to a great start on their home patch in United Park as Callum Leonard finished calmly after a great run and through-ball from Frank Cabraley. That was Leonard’s second goal of the week, having scored the winner against Longford on Monday evening.

Both sides missed chances after that, with Ben Murphy making some excellent saves in the United goal. However, Drogheda missed two great opportunities in the 43rd minute and those probably made the difference in the end.

The second half was much the same, with Athlone forcing a number of corner kicks, one of which produced the save of the season from Murphy as he pushed a certain goal onto the post.

Those corners eventually told as Athlone benefited from excellent deliveries and scored three times in a 10-minute spell late in the game from set pieces.

Drogheda’s Under-17s make the long trip to face Derry City at The Brandywell this Saturday. DROGHEDA UNITED: Ben Murphy, Ross Quigley (Dylan Cowman), Tadgh King, (Kian Hussey), Sam O’Brien, Ross Harper, Josh Dunbar, Arturs Balavins, Frank Cabraley, Jamie Fagan (Kyle Cosgrave), Callum Leonard, Luke Campbell.