Drogheda United's heavy defeat in Derry doesn't tell the full story
Everyone seems to have an opinion about Drogheda United's recent performances and which camp you're in depends on whether you're a glass half-empty or glass half-full character.
Those who are giving out about negative tactics and berating players for all manner of 'mistakes' will justify their view by stating that the Boynesiders have won just once in their last six games and have slipped from first to fourth in the table.
Taking a different view, though, the two defeats Drogheda have shipped in that time have been against the current top two teams and only the top two - Shamrock Rovers and Derry City - have taken more points than Kevin Doherty's men from the last three matches.
The Drogs have suffered all manner of problems in recent weeks and yet they're hanging in there, still competing for a coveted European spot through the league as well as planning to make a strong defence of their FAI Cup crown.
They weren't exactly down to the bare bones at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium last Friday night, but there was little experience on the subs bench and a couple of the starters probably shouldn't have been involved at all given their current level of fitness.
The opening half-hour didn't exactly set pulses racing as Derry probed without looking particularly dangerous, while Drogheda held their line and mounted a couple of promising attacks.
Gavin Whyte sent one shot straight into the hands of visiting keeper Luke Dennison and a Sam Todd effort was blocked by Conor Keeley, but the Boynesiders' defence was eventually unlocked all too easily by a Derry corner kick.
Michael Duffy played the set piece short, received the ball back and floated in a cross from the byeline that was headed home by Todd under no real pressure.
The second goal arrived just three minutes later and was equally poor from a Drogheda perspective as Duffy got in behind the defence, evaded the outrushing Dennison and hooked the ball goal-wards.
Andrew Quinn somehow got back to scoop the ball off the line, but none of his colleagues were on their toes to complete the clearance - indeed three of them just stood and watched - and Ronan Boyce was following up to divert the rebound to the net.
At 2-0 Drogheda already had a mountain to climb, but 60 seconds later they had a great chance to haul themselves right back into the match when Aaron Harper-Bailey - making only his second start of the season - whipped a superb ball in behind the Derry defence for the on-rushing Thomas Oluwa, who bore down on goal, only to have his driven shot superbly parried by Brian Maher.
A Carl Winchester goal on the stroke of half-time was ruled out for offside and the score remained at 2-0 for most of the second half, during which youngsters Dare Kareem, Scott Brady and Bridel Bosakani all saw game time and made useful contributions.
Conor Keeley had a couple of efforts which failed to hit the target and Douglas James-Taylor had a shot blocked by Mark Connolly, but for the most part Derry were comfortable and they put the icing on the cake from their perspective with a third goal deep into stoppage time.
Again Duffy was involved, taking an angled shot which Dennison blocked rather unconvincingly with his boot, and the rebound seemed to strike Danny Mullen on the shin before squirming over the goal-line.
DERRY: Brian Maher 7; Ronan Boyce 7, Hayden Cann 7, Mark Connolly 7, Kevin Holt 7, Sam Todd 7; Gavin Whyte 8 (Danny Mullen 76, 7), Sadou Diallo 7 (Adam O'Reilly 63, 6), Carl Winchester 8 (Paul McMullan 76, 6), Michael Duffy 8; Liam Boyce 7 (Robbie Benson 75, 6). Subs not used: Shane Ferguson, Ciaron Harkin, Pat Hoban, Seaon Patton, Arlo Doherty.
DROGHEDA: Luke Dennison 7; Andrew Quinn 7, Conor Keeley 7, Aaron Harper-Bailey 8; Owen Lambe 7, Ryan Brennan 6 (Scott Brady 55, 7), Luke Heeney 6, Conor Kane 7 (Kieran Cruise 55, 7); Shane Farrell 6 (Darragh Markey 60, 7); Douglas James-Taylor 7 (Bridel Bosakani 88), Thomas Oluwa 6 (Dare Kareem 60, 7). Subs not used: Zishim Bawa, Sean McCarthy, Evan Haddock, Jack Brady
Attendance: 3,700
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