Major relief as point secures safety for Drogheda United's LSL team
PEAMOUNT UNITED 2
DROGHEDA United's Leinster Senior League team secured their Major 1 Sunday status with this draw at home to Peamount United on Sunday.
Adam McGinn took charge of the side on an interim managerial basis, aided by director of football Kian Maguire.
Pre-match nerves were evident as Drogheda conceded a fourth-minute penalty when a long ball into the box was allowed bounce and unfortunately Tapiwa Mutwira handled the ball. The referee pointed to the spot and stand-in keeper Henri Mooney was unable to keep the ball out.
That early blow seemed to focus Drogheda and they began to get on top, with Josh Salako and Leo Quinn both having chances to level.
The hosts eventually forced an equaliser on 27 minutes when some nice inter-play dragged the Peamount defence out of position and Neal Hodgins, who was involved in the build-up, spotted a gap and ran at goal before firing home.
The Boynesiders had chances to go into the break ahead, but the Peamount keeper was in fine form.
Drogheda continued to play well in the second half.
McGinn began to run the bench to introduce fresh legs, but while Peamount too introduced some subs, the home side remained on top. The fresh faces helped as they controlled possession and Mooney was relatively untroubled in the Drogheda goal.
While Peamount had nothing to play for, having already got themselves safe from relegation, they still tried to find a lead goal. They enjoyed a period of dominance around the hour mark and Mooney did make some fine stops.
Drogheda's rearguard action worked well and eventually they re-established their dominance. The hosts forced a series of corners which came to nothing, but on 81 minutes they took the lead when a ball to the back post was controlled and finished by Josh Salako, sparking scenes of joy.
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That was short-lived as Peamount re-stablished parity. A hoofed clearance into the box was mis-judged by Mooney and he couldn't scramble back to clear his lines.
The final few minutes were nervy, but Drogheda held out to secure the draw, ending a five-game losing streak.
Chairperson Lauren McGinn commended the management team for stepping in and for their work over the last two weeks which was clearly evident based on the performance on the pitch.
Drogheda will end their season against promotion-chasing Monread and anything under than a defeat for Drogheda will see them move ahead of Boyne Rovers in the table which would set things up nicely for two more Drogheda derbies next season.
Drogheda UNITED: Henri Mooney, Neal Hodgins, Josh Cahill, Jarlath Jones, James Fanning, Aaron Murray Dyas (Simon Kelly 69), Hayden Quinn (Kenenna Okwarah 69), Josh McGuire, Leo Quinn (Jonathan Salako 49), Tapiwa Mutwira (Collins Aghahowa 77), Josh Salako.
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