Soccer

Brandon Miele gives Rovers upper hand in Drogheda

Solitary goal enough for Shamrock to win all three points at United Park

Shamrock Rovers’ Brandon Miele has now scored six goals in his last six appearances. Photograph: Inpho.
Fri Jul 31 2015 - 22:41

Drogheda United 0 Shamrock Rovers 1

Brandon Miele’s sixth goal in his last six appearances was enough to see off Drogheda United at United Park.

The first real chance of the game fell to the visitors as Gavin Brennan found himself unmarked at the back post and his header from a Simon Madden corner flashed just wide.

Johnny McDonnell named a very attacking side and it showed as they were giving Rovers too much time and space in the opening exchanges, Danny North was allowed drift in from the wings to cause real trouble for the back four.

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He almost profited when Gavin Brennan picked him out in the box but his effort was blocked by Joe Gorman.

At the other end Mark Hughes had a chance while Drogheda’s best effort fell to Tiarnan Mulvenna as Lee Duffy pulled a vicious cross across the face of goal and Mulvenna controlled before blazing his volley over the bar.

The game’s only goal came as a period of sustained Drogheda pressure broke down on the half-hour mark.

Real authority

Craig Hyland claimed a corner with real authority and instantly threw the ball down the wings which saw Mark Hughes chased down by Miele and under pressure the Drogheda winger tried to play the ball to Gorman but left his pass short and the pacey Miele nipped in took possession and raced into the box before slotting past Micheál Schlingermann.

Hyland was barely tested during the game but just before the break he made a great stop to deny Seán Thornton but the linesman had his flag raised for offside.

Five minutes into the second-half and Rovers nearly doubled their lead when Gavin Brennan once again headed towards goal only to find brother Seán on the line to block for Drogheda.

Rovers were then thankful to David Webster for keeping the Boynesiders scoreless, Mick Daly crossed and Ger Pender flicked a shot goalwards inside the six yard box which Webster blocked behind for a corner.

Despite all their possession Rovers were unable to carve out any clear-cut chances, twice Alan Byrne made timely interceptions but a lot of Rovers attacks simply petered out. Duffy was unlucky not to get a penalty after being blocked by Webster in the box just after the hour mark.

Two late Seán Brennan frees were defended by Rovers as Drogheda laid siege to the Dublin team’s goal but were unable to find an equaliser.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Schlingermann, Gorman, Byrne, O'Reilly, Daly, Pender (Marks 65), Brennan, Thornton, Hughes (Maher 76), Mulvenna (McKenna 83), Duffy . Subs Not Used: Farrell, Whelan , Bayly, Buckley.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Craig Hyland, Madden, Kenna, Webster, Byrne, McCabe, Cregg, Miele, Ryan Brennan (Kavanagh 86), Gavin Brennan, North (Drennan 79). Subs Not Used: Murphy, Blanchard, O'Connor, Waters, McCaffery.

Referee: P McLaughlin (Donegal).