30 August 2010

Drogheda United v Monaghan United

Match Report

Under 20 League
Drogs 2 Monaghan United 1

Slack defending and lack of concentration at the back almost cost the Drogs these three points when they came out 2-1 winders against a lively Monaghan side. The game started off at a lively pace with the visitors strong in the middle and their lively No 9 took a great deal of watching over the full 90 minutes. Conor Healy moved the ball well all through and after the team settled , most of the Drogs attacks came down the right with Conor Brannigan showing nice touches in attack and after 17 minutes he made good ground down the right, beating a couple of defenders and his low cross was well finished to the net by Stephen Campbell. Healy and Berannigan repeated this move down the right a few more times in the first half, but the Drogs ddn't add to their score and survived a couple of dangerous Monaghan attacks briought on by thoughtless slack passing among our defence.

The second half was tough all through and midway through the Mons equalised after wayward Drogs passing left us defenceless. Subs Hawthorne, O'Rourke and Kerr steadied things a bit for us and the winner came after the hard-working Kevin Ross was denied by the keeper in a one-on-one, but regained his composure to send in a great cross from the right and Stephen Campbell outjumped the keeper to head home. A hard-fought win, but, the Drogs can learn from this.

Team: Alex Reilly, Conor Healy, Derek Kierans, Eric Brown, Ciaran Hoey, Kevin Ross, Philly Kavanagh (Chris Kerr), Conor Brannigan (Ashley Hawthorne), Colm Smith (Sean O'Rourke), Stephen Campbell, Ronan McEntageart.