Sport

Keegan moves Drogheda clear

Drogheda Utd - 1 Bray Wanderers - 0: Paul Keegan popped up with a deserved winner for Drogheda 14 minutes from time as United…

Sat Apr 01 2006 - 01:00

Drogheda Utd - 1 Bray Wanderers - 0: Paul Keegan popped up with a deserved winner for Drogheda 14 minutes from time as United moved clear at the top of the Ericom League Premier Division.

Bray enjoyed by far the better of a disappointing first half as Drogheda failed to spark, but the home side did begin brightly when James Keddy's shot was saved by Chris O'Connor in the Bray goal. Keddy then turned provider for Declan O'Brien who had to lean back to get his header on target as O'Connor easily dealt with the ball.

With 25 minutes gone Bray's Robbie Doyle back heeled the ball into the path of David Tyrrell who broke down the left and crossed for Colm Tresson who just failed to get the vital touch.

Four minutes later Tyrrell again tormented the home side down the same flank crossing for Tresson who cushioned his header into the path of Eamon Zayed who was denied a strike on goal by Graham Gartland's superb challenge.

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Approaching half-time Steven Bradleys shot was turned out for a corner by O'Connor and from the resulting kick Bradley's stinging drive was headed from beneath his own crossbar by defender Brian McGovern.

Drogheda switched Shane Barrett from the centre out to the right from the start of the second half and this move almost paid dividends immediately when he raced away from his marker and crossed for Gavin Whelan whose shot from six yards was brilliantly saved by O'Connor.

The Bray goalkeeper then made a couple of crucial stops denying Gartland and Keddy. Gavin Whelan then missed a sitter for Drogheda when he miskicked with the goal at his mercy from eight yards.

Drogheda's relentless pressure finally achieved the breakthrough their play deserved on 76 minutes when Glen Fitzpatrick chased a ball to the end line on the left, crossed for Whelan who headed the ball into the path of Paul Keegan who drove to the net from 12 yards. Bray almost stole a point at the end when Brian McGovern's header flew narrowly wide.

DROGHEDA: Connor, Gray (Webb 64), Gavin, Gartland, Robinson (Whelan 38), O'Brien, Keddy, Shelley, Bradley, Keegan, Barrett (Fitzpatrick 60).

BRAY: O'Connor, Tresson, Gifford (Charles 82), Roache, McGovern, Fox, Ryan (Georgescu 88), Keogh, Zayed, Doyle (Caffrey 82), Tyrrell.

Referee: Pat Whelan (Dublin).