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Drogheda United 1 St. Patrick's Athletic 0
Friday, 19 June 2009 22:47

A gutsy, whole hearted performance from Drogheda saw Alan Matthews battlers lift themselves off the bottom of the table for the first time this season thanks to this well merited single goal win over a disappointing St Patricks side who were fortunate not to suffer a much heavier defeat.

For almost half an hour this game ambled along aimlessly before it suddenly sprang to life when Drogheda took the lead.  With 31 minutes gone Jamie Duffy’s creativity on the left wing set up Shane Barrett who turned his marker brilliantly before rifling the ball to the top corner of the net.

That United didn’t double or triple their lead before the break was a mystery as the Pats defence looked vulnerable every time the home side pushed forward.

Conor Kenna’s stooping header was saved by Gary Rogers and James Chambers drove a free from the edge of the box round the wall which Rogers did really well to turn out for a corner.

Chambers corner then picked out Conor Kenna who headed the ball down to central defensive partner Alan McNally whose overhead kick was brilliantly tipped over by Rogers and from the resulting kick Chambers found McNally who drove his shot narrowly wide.

Right on the half time whistle Robbie Martin sent Barrett clear, however, from what was a better position than he scored earlier the front man blasted over.

The second half began in the same vein as the first  with the home side doing all the pressing.  Chambers the tormentor from set pieces drove another free with pace into the box which McNally flashed only just past the post.  Then from a corner the same player floated the ball into the danger zone where finding Brian King whose header beat Rogers but Gareth O’Connor was on the line to head the ball to safety.

In the closing stages Drogheda visibly tired and though out on their feet they restricted Pats to a couple of half chances Jamie Harris headed wide and McNally’s back header troubled his keeper Skinner who clawed the ball to safety.

Drogheda:  Skinner, Ryan, Clarke, Kenna, McNally, Shiels, King, Chambers, Duffy, Martin (O’Connor 90), Barrett (Woods 89).  
St Patricks:  Rogers, Maher, Haverty, Partridge, Stevens, Lester (O’Connor h/t), Harris, Byrne, Ryan (Fitzpatrick 84), Quigley (Moran 38), Gavin.  

Referee:  M. Gough (Limerick).
 
 
 
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