Drogheda United bounced back from a recent defeat to Cobh Ramblers by edging out a battling Athlone Town side 1-0 last Friday evening at United Park.
After recording a great win against Shelbourne last week, just their second victory of the campaign, Athlone headed into this match with confidence high, but it was Drogheda who had the best of the opening chances. Jake Hyland got Athlone pulses racing just two minutes into the game by sending a shot whistling over the bar from 30 yards after finding space in the middle of the park.
However, Athlone looked particularly dangerous on the counter-attack. Ronan Hanaphy had perhaps the best chance for the visitors just seven minutes into the game after being put through on the Drogheda goal, only for former Athlone defender Kevin Farragher to get back and intercept before the forward could get his shot away.
Some nice play from Drogheda’s Aaron Ashe saw him cut inside David Brookes just outside the box before shooting over the bar. A second chance came following a short corner kick that eventually came to Hyland on the edge of the box, but his effort rose high and over the crossbar.
Drogheda were edging the game slightly but failed to really test Jamie Quinn in the Athlone goal, and some may have been questioning whether it was going to be one of those days.
However, two incidents in the space of 13 minutes before half time had a huge influence on the remainder of the game. On 30 minutes Aidy Byrne entered the referee’s notepad for a challenge on Luke Gallagher. This was followed in the 43rd minute by a second yellow and subsequent red card for Byrne, and the player could have few complaints after directing a frustrated kick at Lloyd Buckley.
The deadlock was broken in the 58th minute after a great ball from Marc Griffin found Ashe, whose shot was only half blocked by Quinn before bouncing into the Athlone net.
Drogheda had a couple more chances through substitute Mark Doyle, but neither really troubled Quinn.
Drogheda hung on to remain in third place in the league on 26 points while Athlone remain second from bottom on 9, just one point in front of fellow strugglers, Cabinteely.
Athlone can be disappointed they did not get anything from this game. Had it not been for the sending-off they may have secured a point here. They face a real test next Friday when they welcome free-scoring Limerick to Lissywollen.
