1 v 0 
WaterfordVideo
Details
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 March 2021 | 5:45 pm | LOI Men's Premier Division | 2021 |
Match Report
Drogheda Leave it Late
Drogheda United narrowly defeated a brave and battling Waterford side with a Cameron Evans own goal in the 89th minute proving the difference in an entertaining game.
Drogheda got off to a blistering start asking questions of the Waterford back four inside the opening minute. Chris Lyons went close meeting James Brown’s looping cross yards from the goal but saw his effort glance just over the crossbar. A solid start for the newly promoted side.
The silky Darragh Markey did well moments later jinking around Kyle Ferguson on the edge of the box but the support was too slow and Markey’s drilled cross across the box was easily cleared by Cameron Evans.
Drogheda in the early stages were enjoying plenty of possession but at the same time were quite wasteful in attack.
Against the run of play completely Waterford midfielder Jack Stafford went close to turning the game on it’s head with a powerful effort from distance but Odumuso was sharp to deny the young midfielder from giving the visitors the lead. The best chance of the opening half despite Drogheda seeing most of the ball.
The Stafford chance was the wake up call that Tim Clancy’s side needed as they went agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock with fifteen minutes played.
A succession of corners saw both Mark Doyle and Darragh Markey go close to finding the lead. Doyle did well to rise highest and guide a header towards goal but it cleared the bar by inches.
As expected, Murphy was a busy man in the opening stages and had to be sharp again moments later with Darragh Markey testing him from distance. To the relief of Murphy, Markey took the wrong option on this occasion opting to go himself with Chris Lyons racing into the box to his right.
Markey’s scuffed effort was tame in the end allowing Murphy to save with ease and get Waterford going again from the back.
Despite being under the cosh for large parts of the first half, Waterford battled well despite not really troubling Odumosu with chances of note.
Chances did fall to Cameron Evans and Jamie Mascoil as the half came to a close but once more that cutting edge in front of goal for the visitors reared its ugly head again leaving Drogheda with another easy enough recovery at the back.
The home side restarted the second half just as they finished the first. All of the ball, huge pressure on Waterford and a succession of dangerous chances in search of the opener.
The probing Darragh Markey made light work of beating Mascoll before curling a teasing effort just past the far post of Murphy. Drogheda slowly but surely turning the screw on the stubborn visitors.
The best chance of the game fell to the lively Chris Lyons moments before he was substituted in place of Dinny Corcoran.
Experience was the order of the evening as the game entered the closing stages with Dinny Corcoran and Daryl Murphy introduced in search of a winner. Both seasoned veterans at this stage but a clinical pair when it comes to finding the back of the net.
The first red card of the new season was shown but not to a player on this occasion. Waterford assistant manager Mike Newell was shown a straight red card by Kelly for getting a bit too strong with his vocals from the side line.
With just one minute of regular time remaining Drogheda took the lead in dramatic fashion. A cruel deflection off Waterford centre half Cameron Evans after they had battled so hard all evening. Evans threw himself in front of the ball bravely in an attempt to clear a lethal cross across the box from James Brown but ended up bundling the ball past Murphy and into the back of his own net.
That was to prove the winner with the final whistle blown moments later. Over the course of ninety minutes Drogheda deserved it but a cruel blow for battling Waterford.
Timeline
| 54' | Katlego Mashigo | |
| Darragh Markey Brandon Bermingham | 55' | |
| Chris Lyons Dinny Corcoran | 69' | |
| 72' | 19. Jack Stafford | |
| 75' | Jack Stafford John Martin | |
| 77' | Prince Mustwunguma Daryl Murphy | |
| 14. Dane Massey | 85' | |
| 86' | Tunmise Sobowale | |
| Ronan Murray Hugh Douglas | 89' | |
| 5. Cameron Evans | 89' | |
| Mark Doyle | 90' |
Officials
| Referee | Assistants | Fourth Official |
|---|---|---|
| Graham Kelly | Chris Campbell Darragh Keegan | Ben Connolly |
Ground
| Weavers Park |
|---|
| United Park, Cross Lane, Fair Gate, The Borough District of Drogheda, County Louth, Leinster, A92DKR0, Ireland |
Final Whistle
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Final Whistle in Drogheda and the new boys in the division have made the first positive impression. A deflected late winner meant all three league points stay in Drogheda on their first night back in the Premier Division.
The final act of the game is a yellow card for Mark Doyle as he clashes with an opponent in the dying moments of the game as he battles to keep the ball in play.
Hugh Douglas replaces Ronan Murray to try and preserve this lead for Drogheda United in injury time.
One of the brightest performances of the night is capped by James Browne when his attempted cross is turned into the Waterford net. It's all gone wrong here in the last few minutes for the visitors.
Dane Massey picks up a yellow card for a loose challenge on the edge of the box. James Waite doesn't miss by much as his placed effort goes inches wide of the Drogheda post. It's looking more and more like there won't be a breakthrough this evening.
Waterford Assistant Manager Mike Newell has been issued with a Red Card by the referee, not quite clear what exactly warranted that but he'll play no future part in the game.
The experienced Daryl Murphy replaces Prince Mustwunguma for Waterford with his first involvement forcing a corner for his side.
John Martin replaces Jack Stafford as Waterford are edging their way back into the contest.
A petulant yellow card for Jack Stafford as he pushes the ball out of Brown's hands as he prepares for a throw.
Dinny Corcoran replaces Chris Lyons who's been struggling since he picked up a knock during that missed recent opportunity.
Drogheda native Oscar Brennan trys his luck to disappoint the neighbours when he hits one from distance but he doesn't bother Odumosu in the Drogheda goal. Gary Deegan and Danny O'Reilly are forced to throw their bodies in the way of some strong efforts from the visitors.
Chris Lyons almost found the back of the net. Great work from Gary Deegan and Ronan Murray saw the cross at the feet of Chris Lyons who couldn't get his feet in the right place and his stretching effort rolled past the post of a relieved Brian Murphy.
Brandon Bermingham replaces the lively Darragh Markey.
Katlego Mashigo becomes the first player in the book as he lunges into a tackle against Drogheda skipper Jake Hyland.
Markey or Murray have been involved in everything good that Drogheda United have managed so far. The experienced Gary Deegan appears to have decided to take control of the game in the middle though.
Another great effort from Drogheda. Lyons and Markey appeared to get in each other's way as the ball broke in the box. Mark Doyle comes onto the half blocked effort but a diving defender sees his rocket deflected over the bar.
Great start from the side in Claret and Blue as Darragh Markey finds some space on the edge of the box but his effort goes across the face of the Waterford goal and wide to the left hand side.
And we're back for the second half as Drogheda start proceeds for this second period of play.
It's half time despite appearing to have less than 45 minutes on the stopwatch when the referee's whistle sounds.
Drogheda United with a set piece straight from the training ground, he ends up on the ground, but the referee isn't concerned. He awards a free out to Waterford.
There has been a few heavy challenges in the opening half of the game. Waterford are taking no prisoners so far. Can see this game getting out of control if the referee doesn't take control of the temperature of the game.
It's the closest we've come to a goal, a header from Drogheda bounces onto the post but the assistant had flagged for offside prior to the header.
Prince Mustwunguma makes a real strikers tackle from behind on Ronan Murray, amazingly the referee doesn't bother the pocket for a card.
Claims for a Drogheda penalty as Ronan Murray sees his shot appear to rebound off a Waterford arm but the referee, who was well positioned and had a good view, shakes his head at the prospect. Lyons, Markey & Murray all involved numerous times in the best phase of play of the game so far.
Waterford are enjoying a purple patch here two good chances for the Blues but they just can't connect. Mascale's crossing is finding his man consistently but the finish is just not there for Kevin Sheedy's men.
Panic at the back for Drogheda as another long ball leaves them at sixs and sevens. Massey puts it out for a corner which comes to nothing despite a free header for Oscar Brennan on the 6 yard line.
New signing Ronan Murray who's impressed so far looks lively and after a good run sees his powerful effort rising over the Waterford crossbar.
Drogheda don't look super confident defending that free kick, but the headed effort from O'Reilly goes well left of the keepers post.
Rash tackle from Conor Kane gives Waterford a dangerous set piece but no cards issued to the Drogheda full back.
Darragh Markey latches on to a through ball and makes a yard of space but Murphy deals with his right footed strike.
Another corner for Drogheda United as confusion seems to reign in the Waterford defence, header from O'Reilly goes wide. There's been a few signs of early season rustiness from both sides so far.
Odumosu stands firm to deal easily with a straight forward long range effort from Jack Stafford. It's Waterford's first sight of goal.
Murray's corner is met by the head of Mark Doyle but his effort is deflected wide for the third Drogheda corner of the game. Murphy gathers the ball easily from the returned clearance.
Drogheda United are certainly the more impressive side in the early exchanges. James Browne has been trouble for the Waterford defenders as he seems to be in control of the right flank for Drogheda. Waterford playing a very direct game plan so far.
Some great work from Ronan Murray almost creates a chance for the Drogs who have come straight out of the blocks against their visitors. Waterford manage to clear their lines but it's been all Drogheda so far.
And you're welcome to the start of the brand new League of Ireland season at Head in the Game Park in Drogheda for the meeting of Drogheda United & Waterford FC.