23rd July 2010

Drogheda United v Sligo Rovers

Match Report

Airticity League of Ireland
Drogs 2 Sligo 3

It was a case of a step too far for the Drogs at Hunky Dorys Park when defensive frailties spoiled an otherwise good Drogs performance against a Sligo team that are pushing for a European place.

Corie Treacy was a late withdrawl for United so Eric McGill reverted to right back. Joe Kendrick returned at left back in place of the suspended Eoghan Osbourne.

Sligo's all-round ability seemed at times too much for us. Ndo showed wonderful ability on the ball and seemed to have all the time in the world to pick out his passes. All the same we dealt well with early Sligo attacks. Then on 14 mins Eric McGill was fouled in the middle and his long free was headed past Brush by Fitzy to give us an unexpected lead goal. However the good work was undone just a few minutes later; we failed to defend a Sligo free kick and they scored a rather easy equaliser when Peers' downward header hopped and looped over a static Skinner into the net.

Despite this reverse we got a better grip as the half drew to a close and Mick Daly was unlucky to head wide from a great position. However disaster followed only moments later when in a seemingly innocuous Sligo attack our defence failed to clear the ball and Almond put the icing on the Sligo cake as he slid the ball over the line.

For the start of the second half Ronan McEnteggart, making just his second appearance at this level, replaced Darren Meenan and took up a position on the left side of midfield.. Pete McMahon switched to the right and we went in search of the equaliser. It came just five minutes in, when Ronan rose to a teasing Pete McMahon cross to send a powerful header to the net. This gave us great heart. The match seemed to be there for the winning but we failed to create many clear chances, despite great endeavour and effort. Sligo brought on three substitutes and in the end their superior teamwork gave them a grip on the middle of the field. It came as little surprise when Peer's good move across the box placed Almond and his deflected shot flew past Skinner.

And that was about it, the result was not the best, but we got three points this week and we have Bray to look forward to next Friday.

Team: Skinner, Kendrick, McNally, McGill, Crowley (Duffy, 87 mins), Flood, Meenan (McEnteggart, half-time) (Kierans, 83 mins), Daly, McMahon, Fitzpatrick, Brennan.
Subs not used: Paul Murphy, Stephen Murphy