Derry City fall to defeat at Drogheda United

Drogheda United 2

Derry City 1

Derry City’s title hopes took a huge blow as two second half goals from Frantz Pierrot condemned them to defeat at Weavers Park. 

It is now just one win in seven visits to Drogheda and there was little doubt that the home side deserved the victory with the striker partnership of Pierrot and Douglas James-Taylor torturing the Derry City defence throughout. 

In a first half of few chances, Derry City came close on 37 minutes thanks to a moment of improvisation from Pat Hoban. Ciaran Coll’s cross was floated into the area but was met by Dave Webster, who only managed to head it straight to Danny Mullen. The Derry City striker took a touch and volleyed goalwards, but sliced it completely and it was flying wide until Hoban threw himself at the ball, and sent a header at goal, but straight at Luke Dennison in the Drogheda goal.

But Drogheda came even closer two minutes before half time when Ryan Brennan’s cross into a crowded area saw the ball fall for Frantz Pierrot just six yards from goal, the striker shrugging off Mark Connolly before volleying from close range, but Brian Maher somehow turned the ball over with a brilliant instinctive save.

The second half started with great intensity from both teams and it was Drogheda who struck first just past the hour mark. Andre Wisdom absently played a pass backwards but straight to Douglas James-Taylor, who immediately played Pierrot through on goal and the striker made no mistake, sweeping the ball past Maher to make it 1-0.

Less than 10 minutes later and it was 2-0 as the Drogheda strikers combined ruthlessly again, Taylor shrugging off Ciaran Coll before crossing for Pierrot to bundle home from close range.

It was all Drogheda at this stage and Brian Maher was rooted to the spot when the influential Taylor tried an audacious overhead kick in the area, but the ball floated just wide of the target.

Ruaidhri Higgins responded by making four substitutions and one of those Colm Whelan, came close to giving the visitors hope, shooting just wide of the upright after the ball fell to him in the area following Michael Duffy’s free kick.

Winger Sean Roberson did give Derry a lifeline with seven minutes to go when he went onto a mazy run into the area from the right wing, before drilling the ball at goal, and defender Andy Quinn couldn’t help but turn the ball into his own net.

Derry had five minutes of added time to try and save something from the game, but Drogheda players defended heroically to hold on for a huge three points.

It is now just one win in the last five league games for Derry City, who now sit four points behind league leaders Shelbourne with just five league games remaining.

Teams

Drogheda United: Luke Dennison, James Bolger, Andrew Quinn, David Webster; Elicha Ahui, Shane Farrell, Ryan Brennan, Conor Kane; Darragh Markey (Luke Heaney 78’); Douglas James-Taylor, Frantz Pierrot (Adam Foley 88’).

Derry City: Brian Maher, Ciaran Coll, Mark Connolly (Glenn McCourt 88’), Andre Wisdom, Jacob Davenport (Ronan Boyce 71’); Sadou Diallo (Adam O’Reilly 71’), Patrick McEleney, Paul McMullan (Sean Robertson 71’); Daniel Mullen (Colm Whelan 71’), Pat Hoban, Michael Duffy.

Referee: Rob Hennessy (Dublin).