Winning start for new reserve squad
DROGHEDA TOWN ALBION ROVERS 3 1
FOLLOWING two seasons fielding just one team in the Leinster Senior League. Drogheda Town made a welcome return to the NEFL with their reserve side last weekend.
And if their opening match is anything to go by, the NEFL Committee’s decision to grade them in the top Saturday section seems justified following a home win over Albion Rovers at their excellent Blackstone Motors Marian Park grounds.
Drogheda started off the match in a confident fashion, and within the first quarter-hour Albion keeper Daire Moore was called into action on a few occasions to keep out goal-bound shots from Dean Clarke and ex Newfoundwell player Ross Reid.
The opening score came after 17 minutes when Reid made an accurate pass to the feet of the in-running Stephen Doran and he surged towards the edge of the six-yard box before unleashing an unstoppable shot wide of the despairing dive of Moore.
Ten minutes later Andy Hickey made it 2–0 when he was first to capitalise on hesitancy within the Albion defence, and once in control of the ball he proceeded to fire home from 10 yards.
On the stroke of half-time Albion went close to pulling a goal back when, following a corner kick, Paddy Usher went close with a headed effort.
In the early part of the second half Albion pressed hard and Drogheda keeper Dean Haggins much busier than during the opening period.
However, their hopes of getting back into the game were dealt a severe blow on the hour when, following a breakaway, Sanele Duma beat the offside trap and coolly finished to make it 3-0.
Albion grabbed their consolation goal in the 70th minute, a well-taken effort by Gary Gray.