29 March 2010

Bray Wanderers v Drogheda United

Match Report

EA Sports Cup First Round
Bray Wanderers 0 Drogheda United 1

The Drogs progressed into the second round of the EA Sports Cup with a 1-0 win over quite a strong Bray team. Mick Cooke rung the changes for this match with only two of Friday’s starting eleven in Sligo lining out. In came keeper Stephen Trimble, Robert Kovacsevics, Victor Ekanem, Mark Nolan, Jack Flynn, Philip McDonagh, Darragh Hanaphy, and Shaun Skelly. So we had almost a completely new team and it gave a chance to the supporters who made the trip (and Mick) to assess the overall strength of our squad. Besides having a new team, we also had a new strip, and it was great to see our team taking the field in our traditional colours of red and black. Well done to the back room staff for getting rid of the luminous yellow and the nondescript white.

Bray fielded a strong team with plenty of first-teamers and put us under all the early pressure and even though we flooded the midfield with Hanaphy above on his own, they created plenty of chances in the opening half hour with great work down the left by Jake Kelly and Shane O’Neill. We were decidedly lucky on 10 minutes when Massey rose unchallenged to head straight at Trimble. But gradually, keeper Trimble and Robert and Victor in the centre got a better grip on things and we started to get some possession in midfield and on 23 a great move saw Quigley find McDonagh in a great position, but his shot was headed away. Hanaphy improved as the game went on and held the ball up well for his midfielders.

So in a way we were lucky to be going in at halftime 0-0, but at the same time we were defending well and looked like we could make an impact on the game even though this was a first competitive outing for most of out team. Bray started off the second half well and Robert and Vic made some fine tackles when danger threatened. And what proved to be the winning goal came on the hour when good work between Costigan (a much-improved performance here) and McDonagh saw McDonagh send over a great cross and when the defender hesitated, Skelly finished the ball to the net.

This gave us renewed impetus and we had plenty of possession in the middle but failed to add to our lead. At the same time Bray pressed forward at every opportunity and keeper Trimble and Robert and Victor in the middle made timely clearances and tackles.

Our first competitive win, nothing to be sneezed at, and well done to the lads. A win is a win. Plenty of good performances throughout.

Drogheda United: Stephen Trimble; Stephen Quigley, Anthony Costigan, Robert Kovacsevics, Victor Ekanem; Mark Nolan, Stephen McCrossan, Jack Flynn, Philip McDonagh; Darragh Hanaphy (Dinny Corcoran, 85), Shaun Skelly (David Freeman, 73).

Subs not used: David Quirke, Brian Gannon, Mark O’Brien, Mark Griffin, Ger Sweetman.