League Report: Drogheda United 1 – 1 Derry City

None

For the third time this season a league encounter between Drogheda United and Derry City finished in a 1-1 draw following goals on Friday night from James Akintunde and Dayle Rooney at Head in the Game Park.

For Drogheda United, Darragh Nugent came into the starting lineup to replace the injured Ryan Brennan following the Drogs' impressive 3-1 win over Shelbourne last week.

Ruaidhri Higgins' Derry City side saw Michael Duffy make his first league start since returning to the club and he was one of two changes to the Candystripes following their goalless draw against Shamrock Rovers last Sunday. Duffy took the place of loanee Declan Glass while James Akintunde was up front in place of Jamie McGonigle.

Akintunde repaid the faith shown in him by opening the scoring for Derry in the 38th minute. Cameron Dummigan muscled his way past the recently booked Evan Weir and his pass was collected by the Derry City number 11 who coolly found the bottom corner of Colin McCabe's net with a drilled finish. The Londoner netting his fifth league goal of the season just moments after being booked for an apparent simulation.

The second half saw less than ten minutes on the clock when Dayle Rooney found the net for the second game in a row. His sumptuous free kick from 25 yards kissed the top corner of Brian Maher's net as the Republic of Ireland under-21 international hurled himself in vain to his left hand side.

Drogheda United defended valiantly and moments after Rooney's sublime strike, James Akintunde was denied his second courtesy of a goal line clearance by Weir. Rooney too was robbed of a second himself, cracking the crossbar after Maher saved well from Weir.

Despite a trip of attacking changes, which saw the introduction of Glass, McGonigle and Brandon Kavanagh, the Candystripes couldn't find a winning goal and Colin McCabe's goal remained intact for the second half as it ended a goal apiece.

The result leaves City in third place seven points off league leaders Shamrock Rovers who have a game in hand (against Dundalk on Sunday evening)

Next week sees a break from league action as Derry City host Cork City on Friday night in the FAI Cup second round while Drogheda United entertain Shamrock Rovers at Head in the Game Park next Sunday.

Drogheda United: Colin McCabe; Keith Cowan, George Poynton, Andrew Quinn, Evan Weir; Gary Deegan, Dylan Grimes (Adam Foley 84), Darragh Markey, Darragh Nugent, Dayle Rooney; Dean Williams.



Subs not used: Fiachra Pagel, Lee Steacy, Dane Massey, Dylan Molloy, Emre Topcu, Darragh Noone, Luke Heeney, Stevan Stanic-Floody.

Booked: Evan Weir (25), Gary Deegan (51), George Poynton (88).

Derry City: Brian Maher; Ciaran Coll, Mark Connolly, Cameron Dummigan, Cameron McJannet; Sadou Diallo, Michael Duffy (Brandon Kavanagh 75), Ryan Graydon, Patrick McEleney (c) (Declan Glass 80), Will Patching; James Akintunde (Jamie McGonigle 75).

Subs not used: Jack Lemoignan, Ronan Boyce, Daniel Lafferty, Shane McEleney, Joe Thomson, Caoimhin Porter.

Booked: James Akintunde (33), Mark Connolly (49), Cameron McJannet (55).

Referee: Damien MacGraith. 



About Extratime Team

The in-house extratime.com team of writers View Full Profile