Derry City defeat Drogheda to move up to second

BBC News

15 hours ago

Derry City moved up to second position in the League of Ireland Premier Division after a 3-0 victory over Drogheda United at the Brandywell.Sam Todd scored his first goal of the season and broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute.Ronan Boyce doubled the home side's lead just three minutes later when he fired home the rebound of Michael Duffy's strike before Danny Mullen scored through the final chance of the game.The result means that the Candystripes are now unbeaten in four games and haven't conceded in their last three matches.
Derry dominate opening 45 minutes
Stopper Luke Dennison was forced to make a low save to deny Gavin Whyte's shot from range and prevent the Northern Ireland player from giving the home side an early lead.Derry had the better early chances and, in the 24th minute, Duffy's looping free-kick was headed narrowly wide of the left-hand post by Kevin Holt.The Candystripes' persistence paid off and they took the lead when Duffy's cross from near the by-line was nodded into the bottom right-hand corner by Todd from close range.It was 2-0 on 36 minutes and Duffy was involved again. This time the winger latched onto a through ball and travelled past Dennison who had come off his line, but the onrushing Andrew Quinn cleared his strike away from goal.However, no one in a claret and blue shirt was able to stop Ronan Boyce from tapping home the rebound.The defending FAI Cup champions tried to quickly get a goal back with Thomas Oluwa's on-target effort palmed away by Brian Maher.Carl Winchester thought he had further extended the home side's lead in first half additional time, but he was offside.
Candystripes extend unbeaten run
After the restart, Derry continued to ask questions of the Drogheda defence with Conor Keeley and Quinn both blocking early second half efforts from Duffy.At the other end, Keeley's first time effort was just wide before Mark Connolly cleared an inviting cross from Douglas James-Taylor to safety.Chances were few and far between in the second half with the Drogheda substitutes helping to close down the home side's opportunities and the away side struggling to test Maher.However, in the final minute of additional time, Derry extended their lead with substitute Mullen able to steer home the rebound of Duffy's shot, which had made Drogheda keeper Dennison make a good saveAfter playing three games in 10 days, Derry now have a week's break before their next encounter, when they welcome Waterford to the Brandywell.