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Drogs hand Derry another defeat

Friday 30th March 2007, 10:02 pm

Declan O'Brien, Drogheda United.

Photo by Tom Carey.

Drogheda United inflicted a third defeat in four games on Derry City tonight to stay within two points of leaders Saint Patrick's Athletic. Although the game finished 2-1, Drogheda were never in much danger after Declan O'Brien put them ahead in the 26th minute and Jason Gavin's late own goal was some small consolation for the struggling Candystripes.

O'Brien's long range lob after a defensive mix-up from Derry lit up a poor first half at United Park. Derry stuck with the same starting eleven as they used in the late capitulation to Linfield on Monday while injury and suspension deprived Drogheda of a number of options.

Shane Robinson had a header blocked by Derry's Dave Rogers after 15 minutes as both teams battled in midfield.

At the other end Gavin made a vital interception to flick the ball away from the advancing Mark Farren on the edge of the box.

The opening goal arrived on 26 minutes but began with a Derry attack. Pat McCourt took possession of the ball out wide on the Derry right but after cutting the ball back following a run to the end-line, no Derry player could connect. The Drogs broke instantly with Brian Shelley pumping a long ball forward.

Confusion reigned in the Derry defence as goalkeeper Pat Jennings came racing off his line and Barry Molloy fluffed his attempted clearance, merely letting it run to O'Brien. The Drogs' skipper wasted no time and launched it at goal, finding the back of the unguarded net from roughly thirty yards.

McCourt dragged a shot wide for a rattled Derry soon after but Drogheda retained their lead to the break but both sides resisted changes.

Peter Hutton missed the target with a header after goalkeeper Mikko Vilmuenen and Gavin got lost under McCourt's dangerous corner kick into the area.

Kevin Derry's low cross drifted off target for a corner from which Hutton applied pressure but got nothing. Derry should have grabbed a goal back before the hour but Rogers flashed a shot over after Vilmunen flapped at a ball into the box and Robinson virtually kicked the ball from his hands.

Drogheda were 2-0 up on 64 minutes as Ollie Cahill rose highest to power home Robinson's cross to the back post. Cahill's first Drogs goal finally prompted a couple of changes from his former boss Pat Fenlon but Killian Brennan and Kevin McHugh took a while to find their feet as Derry heads dropped.

Brennan fired over after a strong run at goal but Jennings had to save well after a powerful shot from Gavin inside the area.

McHugh had his shot parried in the dying minutes before McCourt saw his follow-up shot blocked behind as Derry's chances of a fight back wilted.

They did grab a goal back almost two minutes into stoppage time. Brennan floated a dangerous free kick into the Drogheda area and under pressure, Gavin could do nothing but flick the ball into his own net.

It was too late for Derry who have already lost half as many league games as they did all last season. Drogheda though are on form and look to be improving with each game.

Drogheda United : Vilmunen, Lynch, Gavin, Shelley, Webb, Robinson, Bradley (Whelan 82), Keegan, Cahill, Fitzpatrick (Grant 90), O'Brien (Zayed 65).
Derry City : Jennings, McCallion (Moore 79), Hutton, Kelly, Rogers, Deery (Brennan 66), Higgins, Molloy, McCourt, Beckett, Farren (McHugh 66).