Friendly Report: Drogheda United 2 - 1 Bohemians

Goals from Sean Brennan and Lloyd Buckley either side of Rob Manley’s penalty were enough to give Tim Clancy’s Drogheda a win in their first pre-season friendly of 2018.

It was Drogheda who had most of the possession and chances in the first half, with Gareth McCaffrey creating the first just six minutes in.

McCaffrey broke down the right, beating Kirk before squaring the ball towards Jake Hyland but the former Bohs midfielder couldn’t keep his effort down and fired over the bar.

The visitors had a half chance soon after as a dangerous ball was played into the six-yard box towards trialist Manley, but the striker couldn’t connect, and the chance was gone.

McCaffrey was causing Paddy Kirk all sorts of problems on the right wing and again beat him with ease on 22 minutes, this time electing to then shoot from the edge of the box.

His effort was parried into the path of Hyland by Shane Supplem who was relieved to see two defenders challenge the Drogheda man and clear the ball despite Drogheda penalty claims.

Bohs did come more into the game around the half hour mark and had two chances in quick succession through JJ Lunney and Keith Ward.

First, Lunney picked up the ball on the left, took it by Colm Deasy easily and found space but his effort sailed just wide of the far corner.

A minute later, Bohs had another chance as the ball dropped to the feet of Ward 25 yards out but his low drive was parried by Paul Skinner and then cleared by the Drogheda defence.

Drogheda would go in at half time with the lead though as, a minute before the break, Sean Brennan beat a number of Bohs players on the left, cut back on to his right in the six-yard box and slotted the ball low into the far corner of Supple’s net.

Bohemians made ten changes at half time and were a much-improved side, dominating the opening exchanges of the half.

They found an equaliser just after the hour mark as the only man left on the pitch from the first half, Manley, was fouled by Victor Ekanem.

The referee pointed to the spot and Manley stepped up and slotted his penalty into the bottom corner past substitute keeper Adam Kmet.

Bohs almost took the lead on 65 minutes as right-back Andy Lyons found himself high up the pitch and he connected brilliantly with the ball, but his half volley went narrowly over Kmet’s goal.

Despite Bohs’ dominance, Drogheda were finding some openings and they managed to restore their lead on 68 minutes.

Kealan Dillon’s corner from the left somehow evaded everyone in the crowded box and found its way to the box post where Lloyd Buckley was on hand to head low into the net.

The visitors would have two final chances to find an equaliser, through Philly Gannon and Jamie Hamilton.

First, on 75 minutes, Gannon received the ball in the box after playing a neat one two and his low drive was denied by a stunning save from Kmet in the Drogheda goal.

Then, minutes later, Danny Grant played the ball to Jamie Hamilton but the Bohs midfielder saw his effort saved by Kmet.

Drogheda saw out the game to win their first pre-season match, and Tim Clancy’s first of any sort since taking charge, against Premier Division Bohemians.

Drogheda United: Paul Skinner (Adam Kmet 48); Colm Deasy (Lloyd Buckley HT), Kevin Farragher (Victor Ekanem 55), Ciaran Kelly, Conor Kane (Jordan Kelly 75); Richie Purdy (Luke Rossiter 48), Jake Hyland (James Carroll 75), Sean Brennan (C) (Kealan Dillon HT); Gareth McCaffrey (Gilmar Fernandez 55), Chris Lyons (Lee Duffy 55), Mark Doyle (Stephen Meaney HT).

Unused Subs: Luca Gratzer (GK).

Bohemians: Shane Supple; Derek Pender (C), Dan Casey, Dan Byrne, Paddy Kirk; Paddy Kavanagh, Ian Morris, Keith Buckley; Keith Ward, Rob Manley, JJ Lunney.

Bohemians Second Half: Colin McCabe; Andy Lyons, JR Wilson, Rob Cornwall, Darragh Leahy; Karl Moore, Jamie Hamilton, Oscar Brennan, Philly Gannon, Kevin Devaney; Rob Manley (Danny Grant 64).

Referee: Neil Doyle.

Attendance:

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Ciaran Kelly (Drogheda United).