Drogheda to hand newcomer league debut

Dutchman Jermaine Sandvliet looks set for his eircom League debut after impressing in Drogheda United’s friendly victory over Portadown on Monday night.

Sandvliet, a left-sided winger or full-back who joined the high-flying Drogs at the end of last month on a Bosman free transfer from FC Dordrecht, finally received his international clearance at the weekend and delivered an assured performance in the 5-1 thumping of the Irish League side at United Park on Monday night.

The display paves the way for Sandvliet to make his League debut at home to struggling St Patrick’s Athletic on Friday night.

Mark Rooney was Portadown’s nemesis with a second-half hat-trick, with the other goals coming from trialist Manu Daghda, who opened the scoring, and Mark Leech.