Drogheda United Power Past Waterford with Dominant 2-0 Win
By ArdeePost Reporter
Drogheda United Make It Two Wins from Two at Sullivan & Lambe Park
Drogheda United continued their perfect start to the SSE Airtricity Men’s Premier Division season with a commanding 2-0 victory over Waterford FC, in front of the Virgin Media TV cameras at Sullivan & Lambe Park on Friday night.
Two first-half goals proved decisive as Kevin Doherty’s side produced a confident and controlled display, leaving the Blues unable to recover after a disastrous opening spell.
Lightning Start Puts Drogheda United in Control
Waterford barely had time to settle before finding themselves under serious pressure. Drogheda won a corner inside the opening minute and capitalised almost immediately.
Just three minutes in, Brandon Kavanagh delivered a dangerous corner from the right. Conor Keeley’s header was initially cleared off the line by Benny Couto, but the danger wasn’t over. Shane Farrell pounced on the loose ball and smashed an unstoppable left-footed strike into the roof of the net to give Drogheda a dream start.
The hosts struck again just seven minutes later with a sweeping move down the left flank. Conor Kane and Edwin Agbaje combined smartly before the ball broke kindly for Mark Doyle, who showed great composure to dink a right-footed finish past Stephen McMullan to make it 2-0.
Waterford Struggle to Respond Before the Break
After earning a draw against Shelbourne on opening night, Waterford boss Jon Daly made one change to his side, introducing Sam Glenfield for Cian Barrett. However, the Blues found it difficult to cope with Drogheda’s intensity and movement.
Glenfield was booked on 19 minutes for halting a promising Drogheda attack, while a brief spell of Waterford pressure failed to yield a clear-cut chance, with captain Padraig Amond slipping at a crucial moment after being played through by Couto.
Drogheda remained the sharper side, with Conor Keeley producing an excellent block to deny Conor Carty on 34 minutes, while Shane Farrell and Thomas Oluwa both tested McMullan before half-time as the hosts threatened to extend their lead.
Drogheda United Manage the Game After the Interval
Drogheda picked up where they left off after the break, with McMullan called into action again on 58 minutes to deny Mark Doyle following a fine piece of skill by Brandon Kavanagh.
Waterford attempted to rally, earning a series of corners and pushing bodies forward, but they struggled to seriously test Drogheda goalkeeper Luke Dennison. Their closest effort arrived ten minutes from time when Cian Barrett unleashed a superb 30-yard strike that crashed back off the crossbar.
Late headers and deliveries into the box came to nothing, with Tommy Lonergan heading wide late on as Drogheda’s defence stood firm to see out the clean sheet.
Clinical and Controlled Performance
Despite Waterford earning 11 corners over the course of the match, Drogheda’s organisation, work rate and clinical finishing in the opening exchanges proved the difference. The result makes it two wins from two for Drogheda United and underlines their strong early-season form.
Team Line-Ups
Drogheda United:
Dennison (GK); Agbaje, Keeley, Quinn, Burney (Bolger 56’), Kane; O’Brien, Doyle, Farrell (Godden 65’), Kavanagh; Oluwa (Kareem 78’)
Waterford FC:
McMullan (GK); Heeney, Mahon, Cann, Couto; McLaughlin (Coyle 68’), Glenfield (Barrett 68’), Lonergan; Carthy (Voilas 63’), Amond, Noonan
Attendance: 2,103
Drogheda United will now look to build further momentum as they continue their Premier Division campaign with confidence and belief growing among players and supporters alike.
