Sport

Drogheda triumph in FAI Cup dress-rehearsal

National League / Premier Division / Bray Wanderers 0 Drogheda United 2 : Drogheda United eased their way to only their ninth…

Sat Oct 01 2005 - 01:00

National League / Premier Division / Bray Wanderers 0 Drogheda United 2: Drogheda United eased their way to only their ninth league win of the season with a comfortable victory at the Carlisle Grounds last night.

This was a dress-rehearsal of the meeting of the sides in the FAI Cup semi-final at United Park on October 23rd. On last night's performance, Drogheda can keep alive real hopes of reaching only their third final.

Drogheda could not have wished for a better start when Simon Webb fired home a magnificent free into the roof of the net from 20 yards on six minutes after Bray defender Michael Roche had taken down striker Declan O'Brien just outside the box.

Drogheda almost stretched their lead on 19 minutes when Dutch winger Jermaine Sandvliet's high cross from the left allowed Stuart Malcolm to get in a header straight into the arms of Bray goalkeeper Chris O'Connor.

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Apart from a long-range effort from David Tyrell deflected for a corner, little was seen of Bray's attack. Indeed it was Drogheda who again went close when O'Brien fed a perfect ball to Malcolm only to see his 22-yard effort drift just wide of the post.

It was all Drogheda in a one-sided first half with O'Brien again just wide of the target following a neat interchange of passes between Malcolm and Sandvliet on 37 minutes.

Paul Doolin's men continued to dominate the second half when first Malcolm fired over the top and then Paul Bernard had a header just wide.

Bray at last showed some urgency when a Tyrell free on the right was hooked back across the face of goal by Roche only for Drogheda substitute Jason Gavin to head away for a corner.

Then Drogheda goalkeeper Dan Connor again came to his side's rescue when he pushed away a long-range effort by Tyrell on 63 minutes.

It was no surprise when Drogheda added a second goal on 69 minutes when a low in-swinging corner by Sandvliet saw Stephen Fox touch the ball into his own net.

BRAY WANDERERS: O'Connor; Gifford, Tresson, Roche, Keogh; Long, James, Fox, Tyrell; Georgescu, O'Brien (Murphy, 82 mins). Subs: Caffrey for James (70 mins), Ryan for Georgescu (80), Murphy for O'Brien (82 mins).

DROGHEDA UNITED: Connor; Lynch, Gray, Gartland, Webb; Robinson, Keegan, Bernard, Sandvliet; Malcom, O'Brien. Subs: Gavin for Webb (39 mins), Leech for Malcom (58), Whelan for Bernard (79).

Referee: Hugo Whorisky (Meath).