29th May 2010

Drogheda United v St. Patricks Athletic

Match Report

Airtricity League of Ireland
Drogs 2 St Pats 1

With the ever-growing injury and suspension list, the Drogs went into this match under intense pressure, temporary boss Darius juggled about his sparse resources and in the end we had a wonderful triumph of astute managership and renewed team spirit. The change of manager in any club sparks always sparks a reaction, and this was one of the positive kind.

With Glen Fitz and Jamie Duffy injured, it was John Flood’s turn to step into the spotlight and his brilliant winning goal four minutes from time was a just reward for a fine display.

Jamie Harris’ unavailability meant that Joe Kendrick and Alan McNally started in the middle with Corie Treacy and Eoghan Osbourne at full back. Brendan and Eric McGill filled the midfield berths with Garreth O’Connor and Paul Crowley and Ryan Brennan continued in the same position as last week with John Flood in the middle.

As the game kicked off, it was Pats who attempted to apply the early pressure and we had an early scare on 6 minutes when Skinner had a fresh air with an attempted clearance and Eoghan Osbourne darted back to make a great saving tackle and prevent what seemed to be a certain goal. We settled down to give as good as we got in the middle and John Flood cam more into the game , giving Kenna and Guthrie plenty to think about in the middle. Our midfield were showing up well and Eric McGill in particular seemed to have a renewed focus, and Crowley and O’Connor in the middle produced their usual display of grit , commitment and skill. On 17 we got a free outside the box and Ryan Brennan struck the ball just wide of the goal. Two minutes later, a good St Pats attack saw Eoghan stranded and Skinner did well to palm the ball away for a fruitless corner.

On 28 a loose Conor Kenna back-header gave flood a half chance, but he headed straight a Gary. But a minute later we got a corner on the left and a brilliant corner from Joe and a brilliant strike from Paul Crowley saw his header fly like and arrow into the corner of the net. The important thing after scoring this goal was that we did not lose our intensity and on 36 a great Flood run saw him feed Garreth O’Connor and the midfielder’s shot was just wide of the far post. We gave as good as we got until the 46th minute when Faherty scored a good equaliser. 1-1 at half time was fair enough, but the important thing was that we were playing with great spirit.

The second half saw an enforced change at the restart with Colm Smyth replacing the injured Eoghan Osborne. Corie Teacy stepped into the centre with Joe and Eric McGill reverted to full back with Colm joining Flood up front. On 60, Ryan Brennan instigated a great move down the left and Colm Smyth’s cross saw a good Flood header just wide. We continued to frustrate Pats with sterling defensive work to such an extent that they replaced two strikers, but such was our new-found work ethic that we had as many men as we needed back when danger threatened. And as time went on we continued to play the ball out of defence very well, with less hoofing than we were used to. Eric McGill was a revelation at full back in the second half and the same can be said for all eleven on the field. And to complete the magic of the night, with time running out , Joe Kendrick swept majestically down the left flank and his pinpoint cross was swept to the net by the inrushing Flood.

A tremendous win, well done to Darius , Rory, Barry and Brendan... and of course, the boys themselves!

Team: Skinner, Treacy, Osbourne (Smyth 45), McNally, Kendrick, Brendan McGill, Eric McGill, Crowley, O’Connor, Flood, Brennan (Kerr 90).

Subs not used: Kierans, Paul Murphy, Stephen Murphy,