MU20 vs Derry City
MU20s started the new phase off away to Derry. In tough conditions the team played exceptionally well. Started off bright & great play by Callum Bonner who’s quick shot was parried by the keeper into the feet of Cian Wilson who made no mistake from 5 yards out.
Drogheda continued to attack brightly down the left hand side with Cian Cleary causing the Derry right side problems everytime he went forward. Drogs then had a well worked corner kick that confused the Derry defence only for Evan Haddock to just put his header narrowly wide.
Great positioning & quick thinking by Theo Hennessy got us up the pitch & again Cleary skipped by two Derry defenders to pull a cross back for Wilson to score his 2nd of the game. Derry had their own chances but Drogheda defended excellently to go in half time 2 up.
Derry started the 2nd half brightly & had a chance to score but again well defended by Luke Povall, Ryan Graham & Evan Haddock. More set pieces caused Derry problems & a Haddock shot just went wide of the back post. Another bit of good play by Cleary set up Bonner who hit the crossbar just inside the 18.
Drogheda won the battle in midfield & continued wave after wave of attack but just couldn’t find the 3rd goal. Well done to 15 year old Excel Imade who made his 20s debut & looked more than comfortable at that level. A clean sheet & 3 points to start off the 2nd phase.
WU17 vs Finn Harps
Drogheda United WU17 started Phase 2 of their season at home vs Finn Harps on Saturday. Finn Harps started the better of the 2 teams and deservedly went ahead after only 7 minutes. Poor defending from a corner allowed the Finn Harps attacker time to place her shot into the net.
Drogheda gradually got into the game and created some good chances to equalise, and after 33min they were awarded a penalty which Isabel Hetherton calmly put away. 1-1 at half-time.
Drogheda United WU17 dominated the second half and were unlucky not to score a 2nd goal. Finn Harps did have a chance midway through the half but were denied by Emalie McDonald’s excellent save. There were good performances from Sophie O Boyle, Abi Fitzpatrick, Isabel Hetherton and Emalie McDonald and overall the team are performing well to suggest their first win is not far away.
Next game for the girls is an away trip to Longford Saturday 28, Kick-off at 4pm.
MU17 vs Dundalk
Our MU17s kicked off Phase 2 of their league campaign against Dundalk FC in the MDL. The hosts started the game brightly and had good chances to score early on through Tunde Anunlopo and Frank Foran. The visitors also gave Drogheda a scare hitting the crossbar with a great effort.
Drogheda got what their performance deserved on 28 minutes with Richard Nwosu finishing well following quick thinking by Ewan Fox from a free kick. No more goals came in the first half and the home side went in deservedly 1-0 in front but frustrated their lead wasn’t greater.
Drogheda continued their positive performance in the second half and went 2-0 up on 58 minutes with Jamie McCann finishing a great delivery into the box by Harry McGuirk that was flicked on by Erik Tobli for Jamie to finish.
The home side were in more or less full control of the game for the remainder of the half and added a 3rd goal in the 81st minute with a great finish by Gary Gallagher-Comiskey with Oisin Brearty providing the assist.
The game finished 3-0 to Drogheda United and the MU17s continue their campaign away to Sligo Rovers next Sunday.
MU15 vs Derry City
MU15s started the new phase with a trip to Derry in very warm conditions. It was not a great outing for the lads who were 3-0 down at halftime. In the second half, Drogheda started well but couldn’t capitalise after going close on a couple of occasions. Unfortunately for the boys, every mistake made was punished by Derry, who were very clinical. Tough one to take. Next game at home Saturday 28th against Sligo.
