League Report: Drogheda United 2 - 0 Cobh Ramblers

Drogheda United defeated Cobh Ramblers 2-0 on Friday as they moved a step closer to securing a play-off position courtesy of a brace from Gareth McCaffrey.

It was Cobh who started the brighter of the two sides, winning a number of early corners with their best chance from those set pieces coming on three minutes as Anthony O'Donnell headed wide.

Cobh midfielder Stephen Christopher was then the first player to hit the target just two minutes later as his shot from range was saved well by Stephen McGuinness.

The game then became a hard fought midfield battle for the best part of twenty minutes as Drogheda grew into the game but neither side was able to create any chances.

That was until Cobh had the best chance of the game on the 25-minute mark as Shane O'Connor broke down the left hand side before cutting back to Stephen Christopher who sent his shot wide from eight yards.

The visitors would be left to rue that missed chance as Drogheda hit back less than a minute later as a clearance from goalkeeper McGuinness dropped in front of Gareth McCaffrey who controlled brilliantly before finishing neatly to the bottom corner beyond Paul Hunt and a number of Cobh defenders.

Drogheda then continued to control possession until half time as Cobh looked to, unsuccessfully, get in behind the Drogheda back line.

Just like the first half, it was Cobh who began the brighter of the two sides as they forced an early corner which was headed clear by Brennan, but only as far as Shane O'Connor who fired over the bar.

The visitors then won a free kick on the edge of the box but O'Connor again failed to test McGuinness as he fired his effort straight into the Drogheda wall.

Drogheda would double their advantage just after the hour mark as a clever free kick routine saw Brennan and McKeown link up before playing the ball to McCaffrey who seen his first effort blocked. However, the ball kindly fell back to his feet and he unleashed a stunning strike into the top corner, off the upright from 25 yards.

Cobh then made a double change as they looked to get back into the game with Matthew Whelan and Charlie Fleming coming on for Ian Mylod and Craig Donnellan.

However, it would be Drogheda who would continue to control the game and with 71 minutes gone Griffin held the ball up before playing McCaffrey through. The on-loan Rovers man, on his hat-trick took the ball around Hunt but his touch meant he was too wide to go for goal so he instead passed back to Hyland who shot narrowly wide of the far post.

Cobh however, should have got a goal a goal back on 76 minutes as Jonathan Creamer seen himself in one on one with McGuinness following a defensive lapse by Drogheda. Creamer shot, only to see his shot pushed away to safety by the onrushing McGuinness.

There would be one further chance of note for each side to score in this match as Hyland almost added a third for Drogheda, only for his effort to be blocked by a covering Cobh defender.

Then, with six minutes to play, Cobh substitute Charlie Fleming somehow sent his free header from a corner over the bar from no more than three yards out.

Following three minutes of added time, referee Robert Hennessey blew the full time whistle as Drogheda moved eight points clear of Cobh whilst remaining two clear of UCD, who beat Cabinteely this evening.

Cobh now have a big task on their hands if they are to grab a play-off spot as they sit six points behind UCD, who they play next in two weeks in what is a game that will either keep their season alive or all but end their playoff ambitions.

Drogheda United: Stephen McGuinness; Lloyd Buckley, Luke Gallagher, Kevin Farragher, Stephen Dunne; John McKeown (Sean Thornton 72'), Richie Purdy, Sean Brennan (C) (Adam Wixted 77'), Jake Hyland; Marc Griffin, Gareth McCaffrey (Liam Donnelly 86')

Subs Not Used: Patrick Dunican (GK), Derek Doyle, Aaron Ashe, Sam O'Connor.

Bookings: Jake Hyland (68’)

Cobh Ramblers: Paul Hunt; Ben O'Riordan, Kevin Mulcahy (C), Cian Kingston, Anthony O'Donnell; Eoin McGreevy, Ian Mylod (Matthew Whelan 68'), Shane O'Connor, Stephen Christopher, Craig Donnellan (Charlie Fleming 68'); Jonathan Creamer (Robert Lehane 77').

Unused Subs: Darren Murphy, James McSweeney.

Bookings: Cian Kingston (57'), Shane O'Connor (79'), Kevin Mulcahy (90+2').

Referee: Robert Hennessey.

Attendance: 475 (estimate).

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Gareth McCaffrey (Drogheda United).

You can view Larry McQuillan's photos from the game here.