FAI Cup third round replay: Derry City 2 Drogheda United 1
DERRY CITY booked their place in the third round of the FAI Cup with a deserved 2-1 win at Drogheda United.
Goals from Rory Patterson and Joshua Daniels cancelled out Sean Thornton’s leveller but Kenny Shiels’ side, in truth, could have won by a bigger margin. The only downside to the victory was an injury to Patterson, who was forced off in the 15th minute with what looked like a hamstring problem.
Derry got off to the perfect start when they took the lead on four minutes thanks to Patterson’s 69th City goal. Josh Daniels was fouled by Ken Costello some 25 yards from goal and Patterson’s resulting free-kick, went through the wall and gave United keeper Stephen McGuinness no chance.
United were inches away from levelling things when Thornton’s free-kick from the edge of the box flew just over the crossbar; after Niclas Vemmelund had fouled Liam Donnelly.
The action-packed start continued moments later, this time City going close on the counter-attack. Lucas Schubert fed Boyle on the halfway line and the big striker did well to get away from a few challenges, but saw his low drive from the right side of the box saved by McGuinness.
United levelled things in controversial fashion from the penalty spot on 36 minutes. The initial move ended with Aaron Molloy’s close range shot superbly kept out by Derry goalkeeper Gerard Doherty and as Molloy attempted to get to the loose ball he fell under the slightest of touches from Dean Jarvis and referee Tomas Connolly pointed to the spot. Midfielder Sean Thornton made no mistake from 12 yards slotting the ball straight down the middle past Doherty.
Derry regained the lead on 55 minutes when a super defence-splitting pass by Schubert inside Luke Gallagher found Daniels on the left side of the box. He cut inside before curling the ball past McGuinness.
Boyle, who was a handful all night for the United defence, showed good skill and strength on 58 minutes to get away from his marker, but with his weaker left foot his goal-bound shot was blocked by Niall Cooney.
Derry went close to adding a third just after the hour mark when Daniels right wing corner found an unmarked Aaron Barry, but his header, which had McGuinness beaten, was cleared off the line by Gallagher.
