Spot-on 17s add league success

DROGHEDA UNITED LONGFORD TOWN 2 0

AFTER their great cup win over Cavan-Monaghan on Wednesday - where they came from two goals down to win on penalties - Drogheda Under-17s came through another tough test against Longford at a sweltering United Park on Saturday.

It was hard work and required disciplined play, but eventually they came out on top.

In Callum Leonard’s absence, Frank Cabraley came in at number nine and proved a stabilising force, holding the ball up well and using his undoubted strength and skill to play a major part in this great win.

As early as the third minute, Cabraley provided a brilliant through ball for Luke Neville who couldn’t get his shot away and on 15 minutes Sam O’Brien headed over from a well-struck Neville corner.

The visitors were pressing at every opportunity, but even though the Drogs were under pressure they played the ball well out of defence, with Aaron Smith, Jamie Whelan and Neville always ready for the pass from the back four.

Up front Cabraley and Ugochukwu Anny-Nzekwue were a handful for the visiting defence and on 20 minutes the latter was unlucky not to give the Drogs the lead from a good position.

After attacking well and defending with purpose, the Drogs were rather unlucky to go in at half-time at 0-0, but the second period was only three minutes old when Neville made a great break down the left and into the penalty area and his brilliant squared ball was stroked home by Anny-Nzekwue.

The Drogs continued to pressure the visiting midfield and the back four did well, with Sam O’Brien and Lukus Maher defending strongly and continuing to play the ball intelligently out of danger.

There was little between the teams for most of the second half, but with two minutes to go Cabraley broke through, his shot was deflected out to substitute Kyle Cosgrove and he curved a beautiful lob over the keeper’s head for the clinching score.

This was a really good team display, with standout performances from Cabraley, O’Brien and especially man of the match Neville who set up the first goal and demonstrated a great mix of strength and skill. DROGHEDA UNITED: Euan Niven, Ross Quigley (Gregory Akinsanya), Osasere Sere Ogiehor (Pedro White), Ross Harper, Sam O’Brien, Lukus Maher, Aaron Smith, Jamie Whelan (Josh Dunbar), Frank Cabraley, Luke Neville, Ugochukwu Anny-Nzekwue (Kyle Cosgrove). Subs not used: Ben Murphy, Luke Campbell.