- Tommy Healy
- Sat, Aug 17 2024
Drogheda United showed no mercy to non-league side Wilton, firing nine goals past them at Weavers Park on Friday evening.
Drogheda started the match at a lightning pace, finding themselves 2-0 ahead before the 15-minute mark.
For the first goal, Luke Heeney was brought down in a clash of heads, and Walsall loanee Douglas James-Taylor tucked the spot-kick away.
The second penalty came after Conor Kane showcased his talent on Wilton’s left-hand side and went down under the challenge of Frank Down. James-Taylor converted that one as well.
More chances came for Drogheda through Pierrot and Farrell as they dominated possession. A third goal was not far away, as in the 21st minute, Douglas James-Taylor turned a brace into a hat trick with a tidy finish into the top corner from Farrell’s low cross.
The Cork side could do nothing but look on as Ryan Brennan rose above everybody in the box to meet Farrell’s aerial header, and Drogs had four at the half.
The momentum never shifted during the match, even in the second half, as Kevin Doherty made a triple change at the break, bringing on Markey, Davis, and new loan signing Aaron Harper-Bailey.
It did not take long for Drogheda to add to their tally. Pierrot, after a frustrating opening 45 minutes, finally got his goal, and Andrew Quinn made it 6-0 just 5 minutes later.
The hosts showed no signs of slowing down either, as an electric substitute performance from birthday boy Bridel Bosakani saw him join Douglas James-Taylor as one of the players to get a hat trick on the night.
The referee played no additional time at the end of the second half, and Drogheda booked their place in the last eight of the FAI Cup with a 9-0 win against Wilton United—a record-breaking result for Drogs, their highest ever winning margin.
Drogheda United: Luke Dennison, Elicha Ahui (Warren Davis 45) Andrew Quinn, Dave Webster (Aaron Harper-Bailey 45), James Bolger, Conor Kane, Ryan Brennan (Darragh Markey 45), Luke Heeney (Gary Deegan 52), Shane Farrell, Douglas James-Taylor (Bridel Bosakani 67), Frantz Pierrot.
Subs not used: Andrew Wogan, Jack Keaney, Adam Foley, Matthew O’Brien.
Wilton United: Jack Gibbons, Frank Down, Daniel Murphy, Ireoluwa Olajitan, Evan Murphy, Ben Ryan (Brian Boyd 65), Shay Daly (Aaron O’Connor 73), James O’Sullivan, Jason Hogan (Hayden McCarthy 65), Ian Roche, Jason Cullinane (Ralf Molotoktas 85).
Subs not used: Callum Long, Jonathan Connolly, Denis Young, Denas Molotokas.
Referee: Eoghan O’Shea
Attendance: 953
extratime.com Player of the Match: Conor Kane (Drogheda United)
