We gave them too much respect - Foster
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ANOTHER week, another story emerges about Galway United managing something few thought possible.
This time it was the inevitably-tough trip north to the cauldron of the Brandywell, a venue where few teams head these days carrying much belief of leaving with anything more than their kit bags and a long bus ride home.
But United departed Derry on Friday evening with an unlikely point in hand after holding the locals to a 1-1 draw and manager Ian Foster, who prior to 2009 would have had little faith of a result in the north, said he headed into the tie full of conviction.
“Probably before the season, no, but in our current form I fancied we’d get something from it,” Foster said.
“I genuinely don’t think we’re in a false position because we’ve played well and worked hard. Nobody has deserved to take all three points off us so far.”
Derry City drew first blood on Friday and Foster admitted his side were noticeably behind the eight-ball for the opening 45 minutes, a Thomas Stewart strike midway through the half putting them into the lead. Some serious words were said at the break and sparked the visitors to life. A Seamus Conneely strike, his first for the club, seven minutes into the half levelled the ledger and despite every effort by the home side late in the half to reclaim the lead, there was to be no further change to the scoreline.
“We probably didn’t start the best, we gave them too much respect and allowed them to play,” Foster said.
“I had a go at them, I’m not a ranter and raver, but just because I was disappointed that we stood off them and allowed them to play. I asked them to go and do a job and full credit to them, they went out there and did it. I’m really happy for Seamus, he’s worked really hard in pre-season and he’s dealt with everything really well.
“We had the ascendancy for at least another 15 minutes and looked comfortable. Before the game we had spoken about Derry and their ability to score late goals and we had to match them and probably for the last 15 minutes they had the ascendancy. They had a few chances, but we defended really well and anything that did get through was stopped by the ‘keeper.”
The result leaves Derry alone atop the Premier Division after Bohemians suffered a surprise 1-0 loss to Cork City on Friday night. United, who have leapt over St Patrick's Athletic into third spot, now have the unwelcome task of hosting a wounded Bohs side at Terryland Park on Tuesday night, although have almost a full squad to pick from for the game.
“We’re looking forward to Bohs. It’s always nice to have the champions come to your place and we’re looking forward to the challenge,” Foster said.
“We got no knocks last night and Jason Molloy and Declan Edwards will both be available (from suspension).”
Following this they head east to take on Drogheda on Friday night.
This time it was the inevitably-tough trip north to the cauldron of the Brandywell, a venue where few teams head these days carrying much belief of leaving with anything more than their kit bags and a long bus ride home.
But United departed Derry on Friday evening with an unlikely point in hand after holding the locals to a 1-1 draw and manager Ian Foster, who prior to 2009 would have had little faith of a result in the north, said he headed into the tie full of conviction.
“Probably before the season, no, but in our current form I fancied we’d get something from it,” Foster said.
“I genuinely don’t think we’re in a false position because we’ve played well and worked hard. Nobody has deserved to take all three points off us so far.”
Derry City drew first blood on Friday and Foster admitted his side were noticeably behind the eight-ball for the opening 45 minutes, a Thomas Stewart strike midway through the half putting them into the lead. Some serious words were said at the break and sparked the visitors to life. A Seamus Conneely strike, his first for the club, seven minutes into the half levelled the ledger and despite every effort by the home side late in the half to reclaim the lead, there was to be no further change to the scoreline.
“We probably didn’t start the best, we gave them too much respect and allowed them to play,” Foster said.
“I had a go at them, I’m not a ranter and raver, but just because I was disappointed that we stood off them and allowed them to play. I asked them to go and do a job and full credit to them, they went out there and did it. I’m really happy for Seamus, he’s worked really hard in pre-season and he’s dealt with everything really well.
“We had the ascendancy for at least another 15 minutes and looked comfortable. Before the game we had spoken about Derry and their ability to score late goals and we had to match them and probably for the last 15 minutes they had the ascendancy. They had a few chances, but we defended really well and anything that did get through was stopped by the ‘keeper.”
The result leaves Derry alone atop the Premier Division after Bohemians suffered a surprise 1-0 loss to Cork City on Friday night. United, who have leapt over St Patrick's Athletic into third spot, now have the unwelcome task of hosting a wounded Bohs side at Terryland Park on Tuesday night, although have almost a full squad to pick from for the game.
“We’re looking forward to Bohs. It’s always nice to have the champions come to your place and we’re looking forward to the challenge,” Foster said.
“We got no knocks last night and Jason Molloy and Declan Edwards will both be available (from suspension).”
Following this they head east to take on Drogheda on Friday night.
