Derry City 3 Drogheda United 0 A brace of goals from Derry City's Mark Farren sent the northern outfit into second spot in the Premier Division last night, thus ending Drogheda's impressive recent run.
The home side broke the deadlock with a controversial goal two minutes before the break. Killian Brennan floated a corner into the danger area and while Peter Hutton headed the ball goalwards, the ball was whipped clear by a defender. However, referee, Pat Whelan, pointed to the centre circle, ruling the ball had crossed the line following a signal from his assistant on the line.
And it was Derry who doubled their lead in the 56th minute following a well-timed run by Gary Beckett. Eddie McCallion found the striker with a superb pass and when goalkeeper Dan Connor advanced to challenge, Beckett gave Farren the simplest of tap-ins. Farren scored again 10 minutes later after good work by McCallion to end the game as a contest. Drogheda's woes were compounded when Damien Lynch was sent off in the 70th minute.
DERRY CITY: Forde; McCallion, Delaney, Hutton, Hargan (McChrystal, 35 mins); Cash, Martyn, Higgins (Doherty, 83 mins), Brennan (McGlynn, 88 mins); Beckett, Farren.
DROGHEDA UNITED: Connor; Lynch, Malcolm, Gray, Webb; Robinson, Bradley, Gartland, Reilly (Sandvliet, 61 mins); O'Brien, Freeman (Rooney, 74 mins).
Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).
