Drogheda 2-1 Dundalk - Drogs bounce back to stun rivals in Louth derby

WHAT a difference a week makes.

Seven days after Dundalk piled the relegation pressure on Drogheda United with a 4-2 derby win, the tables were turned as Kevin Doherty’s side progressed in the FAI Cup at the expense of their Louth neighbours.

Confirmation of James Bolger’s signing from Swedish side Bodens BK only came on Wednesday, but he was thrust straight into the starting-11 and opened the scoring with a debut goal.

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Warren Davies turned super-sub to ensure the win, netting with a fine finish just four minutes after his second-half introduction.

The Boynesiders were well worth the win over their rivals and Bolger - who also played in the USA with Northwestern University and Longwood University - was quick to settle into defence at his new club.

Dundalk goalkeeper Felix Goddard was involved in a lot of the early action, and his first proper touch of the ball saw him dive to his left to keep out Ryan Brennan’s 14th minute free-kick.

A confidence booster for the young net-minder, who signed on-loan from Blackburn Rovers and was previously on the books at Manchester City.

Or so you’d think.

Maybe he was a little over-confident when, two minutes later, Bolger applied a cushioned side-footed finish to Luke Heeney’s left-wing delivery.

The debut-making defender’s effort looped high into the air and, as it dropped, Goddard appeared to attempt a one-handed catch, rather than touch the ball over the bar.

The result? The German-born keeper landed in the back of the net - with the ball still in his hand!

It was a moment to forget for the recent arrival, whose debut came a week earlier in Dundalk’s 4-2 Premier Division win over their Louth rivals.

And it underlined a major issue that the Oriel Park side has struggled with this season. Goddard is the fourth goalkeeper to line out for the Lilywhites already this season.

They could do without having to look for a fifth.

At least Goddard, who grew up in Singapore before moving to England to join City, didn’t let his head drop after that error.

It wasn’t long before he got his hands on the ball again. Shane Farrell, sporting a large bandage on his head after an earlier collision, drove one straight at him from distance.

And not long after half-time the Dundalk goalkeeper got down well to his left to stop and hold Conor Kane’s low drive from the left angle of the area.

In between those two efforts, Dundalk barely mustered an attack of note on Luke Dennison’s goal. A couple of long-rangers from Jad Hakiki and Ryan O’Kane were easily saved.

Goddard flew through the air on 65 minutes to deny Kane again, who aimed a little higher than his previous effort, yet went for the same left-to-right angle with his drive.

Confusion reigned in the Dundalk defence when Drogheda made sure of progress to the third round, thanks to super-sub Davies’ strike with 16 minutes left to play.

A long punt upfield from home goalkeeper Dennison was allowed to bounce inside the area, and Davies lifted the ball over the stranded Goddard and into the net from 15 yards.

There were some late nerves for the hosts, as Bobby Faulkner rose highest in the penalty area two minutes into injury-time to send a header looping over Dennison and into the net.

But in the remaining four minutes, they couldn’t find the goal that would have taken the tie to extra-time.

DROGHEDA: Luke Dennison 6; Andrew Quinn 7, David Webster 7, James Bolger 8 (Jack Keaney 81); Elicha Ahui 7, Luke Heeney 7, Ryan Brennan 7, Conor Kane 6; Shane Farrell 6 (Warren Davies 70); Frantz Pierrot 6 (Adam Foley 65, 6), Douglas James-Taylor 6.

DUNDALK: Felix Goddard 5; John Mountney 6, Mayowa Animashaun 6, Bobby Faulkner 7, Sean Keogh 6 (Aodh Dervin 67, 6); Scott McGill 6, Robbie Benson 6 (Cameron Elliott 83); Daryl Horgan 6, Jad Hakiki 6 (Norman Garbett 67, 6), Ryan O’Kane 6 (Eoin Kenny 76); James Gullan 6 (Daniel Pike 83).

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