League Report: Drogheda United 1 - 1 Sligo Rovers

First half goals from Gareth McCaffrey and Jonah Ayunga saw Drogheda United and Sligo Rovers play out a 1-1 draw at United Park.

It was Drogheda who had the first attack of the game as Elworthy’s dangerous cross was only half cleared by Sligo. The ball fell to Adam Wixted who fired his first-time effort over the bar.

Sligo had their first effort on twelve minutes as Gary Boylan cut out a Drogheda attack and set Cretaro away on the counter. The Sligo forward easily made his way to the edge of the box before shooting low but his shot was saved by McGuinness.

Drogheda almost took the lead on the 20-minute mark as Stephen Elliott cut inside. He fired an effort towards the top corner only for Michael Schlingermann produces a superb save to deny him.

However, Drogheda took the lead two minutes later through a stunning goal from Gareth McCaffrey.

The Drogs forward cut inside his man before unleashing a powerful effort into the bottom corner past Schlingermann.

McCaffrey almost made it 2-0 just minutes later. Thornton tapped a free kick to the goalscorer who fired a superb effort towards the far corner but Schlingermann was this time equal to the effort. 

A surging run from Elworthy saw him lay the ball off to Wixted. His outswinging cross fell to Gavin Brennan at the back post who attempted to place the ball into the bottom corner but instead hit the side netting.

Sligo began to put pressure on the home side in the last ten minutes of the half as Kieran Sadlier let fly from range. His strong low effort was palmed around the post by McGuinness.

Sligo were awarded a penalty on 37 minutes after Shane Elworthy fouled Jonah Ayunga in the box. Kieran Sadlier stepped up to take the penalty but his effort was saved brilliantly by McGuinness down to his right.

Sligo would find an equaliser just three minutes later though. A corner from Sadlier was delivered towards the back post to the unmarked Ayunga who headed the ball into the top corner.

Drogheda were the first to test the keeper in the second half as Elliott’s speculative effort from distance was palmed onto the post and behind for a corner by Schlingermann.

Sligo were inches away from hitting the front minutes later. Liam Martin worked himself enough space to clip the ball towards the back post towards the onrushing Ayunga. The goalscorer attempted a karate kick type jump to try but failed to make a connection and the ball went behind for a goal kick.

The game turned into a midfield battle with neither side creating any clear-cut chances.

With ten minutes to play, Griffin got in behind the Sligo defence and cut the ball back to Killian Brennan who slipped as he shot and his effort went over the bar.

The game was there the taking as both sides looked to find a winner late on but referee Ray Matthews called an end to the game after six minutes of extra time.

Drogheda United: Stephen McGuinness; Shane Elworthy, Luke Gallagher (c), Ciaran McGuigan, Conor Kane; Sean Thornton, Richie Purdy, Gavin Brennan; Adam Wixted (Mark Doyle 85), Stephen Elliott (Marc Griffin 73), Gareth McCaffrey (Killian Brennan 73).

Unused Subs: Ryan Coulter (gk), Stephen Dunne, Kevin Farragher, Eoghan Dempsey.

Booked: Gavin Brennan (28), Luke Gallagher (54), Thornton (89).

Sligo Rovers: Michael Schlingermann; Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, Mick Leahy (Daniel Kearns 38 (Mikey Place 90+2)), Gary Boylan, Kyle McFadden, Regan Donelan; Craig Roddan (c), Kieran Sadlier, Liam Martin; Raffaele Cretaro, Jonah Ayunga (Matthew Stevens 82).

Unused Subs: Shaun Patton (gk), Chris Kenny, Mark Hannon.

Booked: Cretaro (28), Boylan (72).

Referee: Ray Matthews.

Attendance: 1,000 (estimate)

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