| Drogheda deny Rovers happy ending in final home game of season |
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| Sunday, 12 November 2006 | |
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Defensive mix-ups and a flash of Choice Aisien genius were the highlights of the final home game this season, as Drogheda United edged out Sligo Rovers by three goals to two last night (Sat 11 Nov) in the Showgrounds
Sligo Rovers - Drogheda United Sat 11 Nov 2006, The Showgrounds Attend: 1000 (est) Inishfree House Man of the Match: Conor O’Grady It was down to the hard core of Rovers faithful and a good travelling support to witness a lively encounter that ultimately left the Bit O’Red rueing the lapses of concentration at the back that gave the visitors the three points. The home team, looking to return to scoring ways were without McNamara, Singh, Kudozoivc and Mansaram, all of whom were injured, whilst, John O’Hara returned from injury in place of Richard Brush. Drogheda had the edge in the first half and it was clear from the off that they wanted to push for all three points in their bid for European football. As early as the second minute, O’Brien crossed from right to Robinson outside the box but his effort caught the wind and dipped narrowly over at the railway end. Early set-pieces by Foy and a shot from distance by O’Grady was the best that Rovers could do, as the visitors attempted to dictate affairs. A period of Drogheda pressure as the game approached the quarter hour saw O’Brien down the right creating a chance for Barrett, but his strike from twenty yards, failed to hit the target. With Conor O’Grady bustling away in midfield on the half hour, Rovers were looking more likely trying and it was good work by the Sligo man that led to Coleman running free down the right. Coleman’s low ball across the box rebounded out to Bellew twelve yards out, but his shot was tipped over by Connor. Then all hell broke loose. On thirty three minutes, a free kick from the back by O’Hara was headed on by Adam Hughes and McTiernan took advantage of a mix up in the Drogheda back line to slot home past the advancing Connor. The lead was only to last a minute when Robinson sent a low ball from the right and another defensive mix up, this time by the Bit O’Red, allowed Barrett to slot home with O’Hara stranded. Drogheda took the lead three minutes later, when Whelan sent a ball from the right, the wind held it up, but Seamus Coleman, conscious of Barrett bearing down on goal behind him, headed into his own net from six yards. Rovers didn’t panic though and had a couple of chances through Foy and O’Grady but the best effort in the closing minutes of the half fell to McTiernan who was denied by the ‘keeper. The game took its time to spark into life in the second half with Keith Foy having the first decent strike in the fifty second minute, his free kick from twenty five yards going narrowly wide. On sixty three minutes though, a piece of Choice Aisien magic drew Rovers level. The Nigerian picked the ball up on thirty yards with no apparent danger, he turned goalward and fired an effort with the outside of his right foot that went beyond Connor, off the post and into the net. Ten minutes later Rovers could have gone ahead. Gary Curran found Coleman in acres of space on the right. The Donegal man looked up and sent an early ball to McTiernan on the left side of the box, but Aisien failed to read McTiernan’s flick into space and the danger was averted. It was all Rovers at this stage. With the wind playing havoc, a couple of speculative efforts from distance by Burns and Coleman forced successive corners, from one of which Gary Curran struck just over. But the good times didn’t last long as Drogheda took the lead again on seventy eight minutes, Jason Gavin rising highest to head home unchallenged a Keegan free kick. Rovers looked dangerous from set-pieces but failed to breach the defence until two minutes remaining. Seamus Coleman, who consistently looked dangerous on the right, raided into the box, pulling it back to Aisien but it came to him too quickly and the chance went a begging Moments later Hughes flicked into the path of McTiernan on the twelve yards, but Shelley launched himself to ensure that ball went out for a corner. It was virtually the last action of the match, as Drogheda hung on for all three points. Sligo must now lick their wounds and prepare for the final game of the season, next Friday night away to Bray Wanderers when a point will be enough to secure fifth spot in the league. TEAMS Sligo Rovers John O’Hara, Gavin Peers, Keith Foy, Liam Burns, Jamie McKenzie, Seamus Coleman, Gary Curran, Adam Hughes, Conor O’Grady, , Paul McTiernan, John Bellew (Choice Aisien 57 mins) Subs not used: Richard Brush (GK), Mikey Creane, Sean Kelly, Emlyn Mulligan, Bookings: Conor O’Grady Drogheda United Dan Connor, Steven Gray, Jason Gavin, Graham Gartland, Shane Robinson, Gavin Whelan, Declan “Fabio” O’Brien (Damien Lynch 93 mins), Brian Shelley, Paul Keegan, Sami Risbila (Eamon Zayed 75 mins), Shane Barrett (Simon Webb 88 mins) Subs not used: Charles Treacy (GK), Stephen Bradley, Booking: Shane Barrett Referee Pat Whelan (Dublin) |
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