Josh Thomas goal in the first half proved the difference in the end as Drogheda United kept their European hopes alive with a 1-0 over Cork City.
Full time Score and Goalscorers:
Full Time Score: Drogheda United 1-0 Cork City
Drogheda United: Thomas[44′)
Cork City: N/A
Man of the Match: Joshua Thomas
The Review:
Both teams played their third last fixture of this year’s League of Ireland season tonight. Cork City were already confirmed relegated coming into this match while Drogheda were 5 points off 3rd place and 3 points from 4th place which could give a European spot depending on the outcome of this year’s FAI Cup Final. Shamrock Rovers could help Drogheda by winning the cup but that is not set in stone yet by far as City will have to answer for that. Following tonight’s results,Drogheda are now level on points with Bohemians with goal difference being the issue for Drogheda.
It is also important to note that in tonight’s gams,17 year old Brody Lee made his first start in the line up tonight and impressed under Manager, Nash who spoke highly of the young winger post match. City travelled to Drogheda as the final time whistle blew at 1-0. City rested the likes of Conor Brann, Sean Maguire and Greg Bolger on the bench tonight.
First Half
It was a still night weather-wise in Sullivan and Lambe park as Cork City started lively with 17 year old Brody Lee doing well up front on his starting debut, having already coming off the bench for the senior squad several times this season. Lee looks to have good potential judging by his performance in tonight.19 year old Kamara also performed well in the first half. Conor Drinan appeared for City after a long stretch of an injury and he put in a decent shift tonight.
On the 24th minute,Drogheda played good counter-attacking football which Doherty’s side have done several times throughout this season. Lambe broke through the City defence to deliver Stretton a ball. While the first half was generally quite, Odumosu handled Drogheda’s attacking chances as did Dennison against City. The quiteness of the half would be ended on the 45th minute,just short of the whistle as Thomas would get his head on the ball for the home side from a cross that he would put past Odumosu’s posts. The Welsh man was consistent for Drogheda tonight.Drogheda went into the dressing room 1-0 up with the dream of Europe not definte,but still there to hang on to.
Second Half
City made 3 substitutions as the Second half began. Lambe had another shot on the 49th minute. The American had a great performance tonight. Anderson would get a yellow card for a reckless challenge on Conor Kanw on the 52nd minute. Darragh Markey had another good chance for Drogheda on the 54th minute. Markey also performed well tonight. Drogheda played good defence against City throughout the half as a win will favour their European ambitions. Charlie Lutz would replace Conor Drinan on the 68th minute for Cork as George Cooper replaced the injured James Bolger on the 72nd minute for the Louth side.
On the 77th minute, Kareem was inches away from a decent goal as he hit the post. Another Academy graduate of Liam Kearney’s sry up in Cork City would replace City’s Brody Lee, Charlie Hannover Shortly after the goal as Nash evidently rested his vital players but gave young prospects a chance of senior football. While City had plenty of possession by the 80th minute, Drogheda were more on the attack as an Own goal by Fiachre Kelleher was disallowed by Referee Marc Lynch. Sean Murray for City put the ball over Dennison’s goals during the 3 minutes of extra time as City pressed for a late goal.City put pressure on Drogheda as the players know a a trip to the Aviva is upcoming but Drogheda would get the 3 points in the end. Doherty’s side needed a win tonight to contend a potential European spot.
Overall, Drogheda fans will be happy with a 1-0 win tonight on a quite night with their side getting points on the board. City were poor in defensive plays such as crosses tonight but did play well at times with young talent showing potential as Drogheda’s midfield stood out. Players such as Stretton,Markey and Kane stood out for Drogheda .
Next up
Cork City travel to Sligo Rovers next, a side that look the safest and most secured of the sides in the fight to avoid the relegation playoff/9th place. City have two more league games before the Cup final.They play Sligo on Saturday 25th of October. Drogheda travel west to Galway United on the 24th as Galway,alike Sligo are trying to avoid 9th place.
Line-ups
Drogheda United: Dennison 45, Kane 3, Quinn 4, Keely 22; Bolger 18(Cooper 15), Lambe 23, Farrell 17(Heeney 21), Brennan 19,Markey 7,Stretton 14(Kareem 34),Thomas 9(Davis 24).
Cork City: Odumosu 1, Mclaughlin 8(Nolan 10),Lyons 5(Anderson 23), Kiernan 19 , Drinan 15(Charlie Lutz 29),Murray 16, Crowley 17(Fitzpatrick 20), Kiernan 19, Feely 28, Kamara 34, Lee 38(Hannover 34) .