2 v 0 
Longford TownDetails
| Date | Time | League | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 October 2021 | 7:45 pm | LOI Men's Premier Division | 2021 |
Match Report
Drogheda deliver on the double
Drogheda United went out comfortable winners tonight beating Longford 2-0 at Head in the Game Park in an absolute must win.
Despite strong defensive shape from the visitors and the Drogs starting slow, they came through with second half goals from Darragh Markey and Mark Doyle.
Markey was unplayable and also set up Doyle’s goal to help keep his team a safe distance from the bottom two
The pressure was certainly on the hosts this evening, and perhaps the most impressive part of the performance was how calmly they dealt with the game. The Town frustrated them in the first half through discipline at the back and it seemed initially like Drogheda didn’t have the tempo to shift them out of position.
Yet in spite of this the Louth side came out in the second half with a lease of composure and were in the lead and in control of the game after five minutes. Tim Clancy most likely let out a sigh of relief from the stand when Drogheda got their second just past the hour. His suspension now over: his side able to breathe a bit as the home stretch of the season beckons.
Town manager Daire Doyle won’t have to think twice about his side’s effort and commitment tonight as it was excellent as usual. However it was a familiar story for his already relegated Longford. They showed their capability at the back and matched the home tempo for the first half but a lack of intuition in the final third meant they were always on the back foot.
What can’t be taken away from them is their enthusiasm to contest the game, even in its dying moments and lulls. Some good individual performances could be seen as well. Jack Robinson protected his back four brilliantly for large spells and Aodh Dervin was tenacious.
As mentioned it wasn’t always plain sailing for Clancy’s men. They looked off the pace in early on, but it really was a game of two halves and Drogheda turned aimless possession into effective attacking. With 51 minutes gone on the clock Lee Steacy spilled a routine save and Markey pounced to give his side the lead.
It was then quickly apparent that a goal was all the Head in the Game Park Outfit needed to kick into gear. Markey added to his impressive performance by crossing for a Doyle header into the bottom corner in the 65th minute, diminishing the competitive element of the game.
A big and well needed win for Drogheda which puts them in 6th, a point above Dundalk with a game in hand. Longford's poor record at both ends of the pitch continues.
Timeline
Past Meetings
|
(Series 20)
1 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
Bishopsgate, Longford Longford Town v Drogheda United |
|
(Series 13)
4 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park Drogheda United v Longford Town |
|
(Series 4)
0 - 4LOI Men's Premier Division
Bishopsgate, Longford Longford Town v Drogheda United |
|
(Series 11)
1 - 1LOI Men's First Division
Bishopsgate, Longford Longford Town v Drogheda United |
|
(Series 2)
0 - 1LOI Men's First Division
Weavers Park Drogheda United v Longford Town |
3LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park Drogheda United FC v Longford Town FC |
1 - 1LOI Men's Premier Division
Bishopsgate, Longford Longford Town FC v Drogheda United FC |
3LOI Men's Premier Division
Weavers Park Drogheda United FC v Longford Town FC |
Ground
| Weavers Park |
|---|
| United Park, Cross Lane, Fair Gate, The Borough District of Drogheda, County Louth, Leinster, A92DKR0, Ireland |
Con Sheehan
21 year old sports journalist from Drogheda. Student at Dublin City University. Drogheda United Correspondent for FinalWhistle.ie
Full-Time, Drogheda United 2-0 Longford Twon
James Clarke replaces Browne
Drogs skipper Browne is down after a collision with one the supports behind the goal as he tried to keep the ball alive
The game has somewhat died down with 10 minutes remaining. Nothing to be surprised about though as the hosts look to see out the win
Luke Heeney comes on for Markey as does Adeyemo for Lyons
Rob Manley comes off for the Bishopsgate outfit and is replaced by Conor Davis
GOAL! 2-0 to the hosts and who else but Mark Doyle to get his 15th of the season. He heads in after a nicely lofted cross from Markey. Those two making things happen again.
Drogheda can't be naïve though with just a one nil lead, especially now that Longford have just brought on top scorer Dylan Grimes who replaces Dean Byrne in the middle
Clancy's men looking more relaxed now after the goal and more in control of the game
GOAL! Just as the burden of Drogheda needing to get the breakthrough was feeling heavy, Steacy gifts the ball to Markey for a tap in to the delight of the home crowd. After his heroics in the first half he poorly spilled Mark Doyle's effort to the pouncing Markey
The Visitors resume the play for the second-half at Head in the Game Park
Half-Time, Drogheda 0-0 Longford
Gary Deegan with a decent effort from a short free kick outside the box but no real trouble for Steacy
Five minutes until the interval now and Tim Clancy will be relatively pleased from the stands as he serves his suspension from the dugout. Daire Doyle will also be happy with how his team has dealt with the home pressure thus far.
Top scorer Doyle comes close again for Drogheda but Lee Steacey pulled off a brilliant save from close range. The home side inching closer
The Claret and Blue army really waking up now with two chances in quick succession. Mark Doyle hit the post following another dangerous cross and James Brown put the rebound just wide
The hosts with probably their most threatening moment of the game following a Darragh Markey corner. Lyon's couldn't dig the ball out of his feet after a scramble in the box and Longford cleared.
Lyons goes down in the box under pressure but the referee gives a free the other way
Both teams getting slightly scrappy now, neither able to keep the ball for a long period of time and put together a move
A nice quick pace to the game in the early moments. The Town with some good early possession as Aaron Robinson sits in front of the back four
An early free kick from Longford forces a good save at the near post from David Odumosu
Lyons gets us underway for the home side
For De Town, Rob Manley is in for Dylan Grimes. Dean Williams starts wearing the number 10
It's a familiar line up from Tim Clancy and the Drogs. Chris Lyons is back up top despite Jordan Adeyemo getting an opportunity in recent times. Joe Redmond with a rare start
Kick off just 10 minutes away at Head in the Game Park. Drogheda will see this as a must win but the visitors from the Midlands are well capable of picking up a result
Hi Con Sheehan here reporting for Final Whistle as Drogheda United host Longford in an important Premier Division match up