Derry City v Drogheda United, Brandywell, 16 August 2013, 7.45pm
City host Mick Cooke’s Drogheda United side at the Brandywell tomorrow night, hoping to avenge last week’s EA Sports Cup defeat and also to keep pace with the League leaders. The Candystripes currently sit in fourth place in the Airtricity Premier Division but with five points separating the top four sides, there is little to separate the title contenders at this stage of the season.
Derry of course are still smarting from ther recent defeat in the EA Sports Cup semi-final at home to the same opposition and the manager will be keen to impress on the players the need to improve on their performance in order to secure the three points. The EA Sports Cup was widely regarded as one of City’s worst home performances of the season and saw the Candystripes booed off the pitch by those in attedance.
The game is likely to see the League’s two top marksmen face each other, with Rory Patterson and Declan O’Brien both expected to feature. Patterson has scored 16 goals so far this season, including a brace against UCD last week. However that marked the end of quite a drought for the striker, who hadn’t found the target since early June. Veteran O’Brien has bagged 13 goals for the Drogs, and he once again showed his class when scoring two in the Brandywell in the EA Sports Cup tie.
City’s defensive frailties continue to trouble management and supporters alike and the Candystripes have only kept two clean sheets in all competitions since early June and this has contributed to the side’s slight dip in form. With away wins in Limerick and Dublin book ending home defeats against Sligo and the Drogs, the Candystripes must replicate their form on their travels at the Brandywell if they are to be serious title contenders.
In saying that, City recovered well from the semi-final defeat and recorded a comfortable 3-1 victory in Belfield last Friday night against UCD, but the Drogs will undoubtedly pose a stiffer challenge. The Louth side have already dumped the home side out of two competitions this season and secured a point in the Brandywell in the League game earlier in the season. Whilst the Drogs may not be enoying the same form in the League as last season, manager Devine is well aware of the danger that the visitors pose, and also the need for his players to up their performance.
”We were very disappointed with our league cup exit at the hands of Drogheda United last week and we feel that we didn’t give a good account of ourselves in that game. However we had a good performance away to UCD on Friday evening and we know we need to bring that positivity into this game if we are to get all three points. I know that Drogheda have been a real menace to us and our results haven’t been great against them but we have an opportunity to break that run on Friday evening”.
In terms of personnel, it is a mixed bag for the home side and Derry will be without the services of Stewart Greacen and Kevin Deery who are both suffering knee problems. However Devine has been able to welcome back long term injury victim Thomas Crawley in recent weeks and with other players such as Molloy recovering for knocks, the Candystripes will have a strong panel to choose from.
For all supporters travelling to the game, fans are reminded of the traffic restrictions in place in the city centre as a result of the Fleadh Cheoil in the city centre, as well as the influx of visitors expected for the weekend of the festival. This will undoubtedly increase the traffic travelling to Derry and also on arterial routes around the City. Supporters are encouraged to leave extra time for their journey too and from the game.
The Derry City Social Club in Crawford Square is open to home and away supporters. All drink prices remain the same for the Fleadh Cheoil and there are special discounts for members. Why not visit before or after the game, or indeed any time during the Fleadh?
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