A Mark Doyle hattrick saw Drogheda United beat Shamrock Rovers II 3-2 at United Park on Tuesday evening.
It was Rovers II who took the lead after three minutes as Sean Brennan played a ball over the top of the Drogheda defence into the path of Brandon Kavanagh who controlled before slotting past Odumosu.
Drogheda equalised on eleven minutes from a free kick awarded just inside the opposition half for a pull back on Brandon Bermingham.
Mark Hughes delivered the free into the box, where Hugh Douglas rose highest, knocking the ball down into the path of Mark Doyle who slotted under Leon Pohls to level.
Doyle danced his way between three Rovers II players into the box before shooting narrowly wide of the far corner for Drogheda’s next chance minutes later.
Rovers next effort on goal came through full back Max Murphy as he pounced on a loose ball, with his effort deflecting off Conor Kane, and David Odumosu claimed at the second attempt at a very wet United Park.
The last real chance of the half again saw Doyle involved as a clever touch from James Clarke saw him flick the ball around a Rovers defender into the path of the Drogheda winger. Doyle then drilled the ball across goal but Pohls was there first to gather.
Drogheda were awarded a penalty on 57 minutes after a move that started from the back before Clarke found Doyle on the left. His first time ball played in Meaney who was brought down in the box by Rovers II keeper Pohls and referee Adriano Reale pointed to the spot.
In the absence of regular penalty taker Chris Lyons, and with Sean Brennan now retired, Mark Doyle stepped up and made no mistake, slotting past Pohls to give Drogheda the lead.
The next effort for Clancy’s side was almost a carbon copy of Doyle’s first goal. Hughes delivered the free from halfway, Douglas rose highest, this time flicking the ball on to Meaney who saw his shot saved well by the feet of Pohls.
Rovers II equalised on 70 minutes as a run from Darragh Nugent on the right saw him beat two Drogs players before finding Brandon Kavanagh in the box. Kavanagh’s first effort was blocked by Prendergast.
The ball fell to Max Murphy on the left wing and his first time delivery found Kavanagh in the box and his fine finish this time found the bottom corner to bring the sides level again.
Derek Prendergast did have the ball in the net for Drogheda following a set piece minutes later but Mark Hughes was offside in the build-up.
Drogheda pushed for a winner in the last ten minutes and Adam Wixted, who almost got on the end of a James Brown ball into the six yard box on 83 minutes, was seconds later denied by a strong save from Pohls after Kane’s flick set him in on goal.
Brown’s next delivery into the box was even better, with Doyle inches from getting the important touch before the winner came in the 91st minute.
David Odumosu’s quick kick from his hands set Mark Doyle in on the right, with Doyle’s excellent first touch seeing him get clear of the defender who dragged the Drogheda winger to the ground in the box, with referee Adriano Reale again pointing to the spot.
And again, Mark Doyle stepped up and made no mistake, to complete his hattrick and net his 11th goal of the season to seal all three points for the Boynesiders.
Drogheda United: David Odumosu; Hugh Douglas, Mark Hughes, Derek Prendergast; James Brown, James Clarke, Jake Hyland (C), Richie O’Farrell (Adam Wixted 53’), Conor Kane; Brandon Bermingham (Stephen Meaney 53’), Mark Doyle (Ryan O’Shea 93’).
Unused Subs: Ross Treacy (GK), Jack Tuite, Luke Heeney, Chris Lyons.
Booked: Richie O’Farrell.
Shamrock Rovers II: Leon Pohls; John Ryan, Sean Callan (C) (Oisin Hand 28’), Adam Wells; Jordan Tallon, Aaron Bolger (Darragh Nugent 69’), Brandon Kavanagh, Sean Brennan (Dean McMenamy 69’), Max Murphy; Thomas Oluwa (Kevin Zefi 60’), Dean Williams (Michael Leddy 60’).
Unused Subs: Kian Clarke (GK), Peter Adigun.
Booked: Jordan Tallon.
Referee: Adriano Reale.
