Drogheda United 0 Shamrock Rovers 2 | Airtricity League

Drogheda United 0 Shamrock Rovers 2

Friday, 16 April 2010 09:45

A forgettable opening forty-five minutes was followed by a scintillating second half which saw the outcome of this one remain in doubt right up to the final minute of additional time.
Rovers took the lead in the opening minutes of the second half but had to withstand intense Drogheda pressure throughout until the fifth minute of added time when the home side were caught with a classic sucker punch. Fit again super sub Gary Twigg secured the three points with a clinching goal on the break as United pushed forward in numbers.
Despite the fact that they had home advantage Drogheda set out their stall in a defensive fashion with striker Glen Fitzpatrick ploughing a lone furrow up front. As a result Rovers enjoyed the lion’s share of possession taking the game to United who were content to play on the break. However, throughout the opening half the visitors struggled to find a way past a resolute home defence. Chances were at a premium with the only moments of danger falling to the Hoops as Ollie Cahill’s deft chip rested on the roof of the net and Chris Turner’s drive from the edge of the box was well gathered by keeper Paul Murphy.
With the second half barely two minutes old Rovers hit the front following a sweeping move involving James Chambers, Chris Turner and ultimately Robert Bayly who curled a beautiful strike from just outside the box over Murphy to the top corner of the net.
With just over an hour gone the Tallaght outfit almost doubled their advantage as Chambers corner found Dan Murray but his shot that appeared destined for the net was headed from the line by Alan McNally. Almost immediately at the other Drogheda went close to equalising when Paul Crowley was upended on the edge of the box and Joe Kendrick shaved the bar with the resulting free kick.
Drogheda with the bit between their teeth at this stage now pushed forward relentlessly and really troubled the Rovers rearguard. Glen Fitzpatrick was unfortunate to see Danny Murphy intercept his goal bound strike and a poor clearance by Pat Flynn fell to John Flood who hastily headed over from an excellent position.
With seven minutes remaining Gary Twiggs looping header from Billy Dennehys cross forced Murphy to tip the ball over but Rovers made nothing from the corner kick. As Drogheda threw the kitchen sink at their opponents in the dying minutes Gary Twigg latched onto another desperate clearance and raced from just inside his own half to the other end of the park before cooly rounding Murphy and sliding the ball home.
Drogheda: Murphy, Kendrick, McNally, Martin (Brennan 79), Crowley, Flood, O’Connor, Treacy, Daly (Duffy 87), King, Fitzpatrick. Shamrock Rovers: Mannus, Flynn, Price, Murray, Murphy, Cahill (O’Connor 76), Chambers, Turner, Bayly, Dennehy (Barrett 90), Stewart (Twigg 66). Referee: A. Buttimer (Cork).

Sitemap•FAI Privacy Statement•Website Design by Firefly Web, Ireland•Sportsfile

Website Disclaimer

The information contained on this website is for general information purposes only. The Football Association of Ireland endeavours to keep the information up to date and correct. Fixtures data may change and whilst every effort is made to ensure that the information displayed on this website is correct and up to date, we are not liable for any errors. The Football Association of Ireland takes no responsibility for, and will not be liable for, the website being temporarily unavailable due to technical issues beyond our control.