Dundalk's title chances dented after derby loss to Drogheda

Dean Williams came back to haunt Dundalk once again as Drogheda Utd put a major dent in their neighbours’ title credentials in the 170th Louth Derby at Head in the Game Park

Fri, 08 Jul, 2022 - 21:56

James Rogers

Drogheda Utd 1 Dundalk 0

Dean Williams came back to haunt Dundalk once again as Drogheda Utd put a major dent in their neighbours’ title credentials in the 170th Louth Derby at Head in the Game Park.

While Stephen O’Donnell’s side continue to sit in second place in the league table, this was the first of two games in hand they had over league leaders Shamrock Rovers.

They were unable to close the gap to seven points, however, as Williams’ goal inside the opening minute saw the former Hoops youngster sink the Lilywhites for the second time this season having also scored the only goal in the previous meeting here back in March.

The result means Dundalk have won just twice in 11 games all season with their struggles away from Oriel Park emphasised by the fact that this was the sixth time they have failed to score on their travels.

Kevin Doherty’s side were full value for their win in what was a fiery affair in which seven players were booked, with the victory seeing them open up a 13 point gap to ninth placed Finn Harps.

The travelling fans were stunned into silence when Drogheda took the lead after just 53 seconds. Andy Boyle failed to deal with Evan Weir’s cross from the left, presenting Williams with the chance to turn and rifle to the top right hand corner for the first goal that Dundalk had conceded in 472 minutes of action.

The visitors almost responded on three minutes when David McMillan rose highest to meet Darragh Leahy’s free kick but he couldn’t keep his header down.

Daniel Kelly had two further chances after that, firing over on 23 minutes before curling high and wide after cutting in off the right on 40 minutes.

Dayle Rooney then threatened to double the Boynesiders’ advantage a minute before the break when his quick free kick almost caught Nathan Shepperd out, with the Welsh U21 goalkeeper just managing to turn it around the post.

It would take until three minutes after the restart for Dundalk to test Colin McCabe for the first time with Leahy getting a header away that was straight at the goalkeeper.

Williams then went close to a second on 59 minutes when he was slipped in by Darragh Markey only to be denied by a strong hand from Shepperd.

Greg Sloggett then had a goalbound header from a corner headed clear off the line by Gary Deegan on the hour mark before Markey fired wide at the other end six minutes later.

Kelly would have Dundalk’s last chance on 73 minutes following a good break involving substitutes Patrick Hoban and Keith Ward but the winger’s effort was straight at McCabe.

Drogheda Utd: McCabe, Heeney, Quinn, Cowan, Weir; Rooney (Brennan 62), Deegan, Markey, Clarke; Williams, Foley (Nugent 15).

Dundalk: Shepperd; Macari (O’Kane 56), Connolly, Boyle, Leahy; Sloggett (Bone 81), Doyle (Hoban 56); Adams (Ward 56), Benson, Kelly; McMillan (Bradley 77).

Referee: Neil Doyle (Dublin).