Cork City draw with in-form Drogheda United at Turner's Cross
Drogheda’s Warren Davis scores against Cork City. Picture: INPHO/James Lawlor
Cork City recorded their third consecutive draw as they were pegged back against Drogheda United at Turner's Cross on Friday night in front of 4,244 spectators.
Despite being the inferior side in the opening stages of the first half, City took the lead through a Ruairí Keating penalty but were prevented from getting all three points when Warren Davis levelled in the second half. Overall a draw was a fair reflection of the game.
There was one change in the City side from the team that drew with Shelbourne a fortnight ago with Harvey Skieters making his first start of the season in place of City captain Charlie Lyons, who was suspended having already collected five yellow cards this campaign. City were however boosted by the return of Cathal O’Sullivan who was part of the matchday squad for the first time this year, with the 18-year-old among the City substitutes.
City’s captain on the night Keating had a golden opportunity less than two minutes into the game when a poor headed backpass from Ryan Breenan fell to the striker’s feet just inside the Drogheda penalty area, but Keating was unable to make proper connection with the ball and his effort trickled wide.
After being on the wrong end of a number of refereeing decisions this season, City would have appreciated Rob Hennessy's decision to disallow Davis’s goal after the referee deemed the Drogheda player to be inside the City penalty area before Milan Mbeng took a kick-out. Davis was quick to charge down Tein Troost clearance and send the ball into the net, but it was an excellent decision from Hennessy with Davis’s foot on the line of the penalty area when Mbeng touched the ball.
The City goal was living a charmed life and the FAI Cup holders came close twice to taking the lead when Davis’s effort was stopped by Troost before James Bolger saw his follow-up strike cleared off the line by Darragh Crowley.
Drogheda dominance continued with the visitors looking a real threat with every attack. Bolger will feel he should have at least hit the target when he found himself unmarked inside the penalty area but he dragged his half-volley wide of the post.
City were awarded a penalty when Aaron Bailey was adjudged to have handled Crowley’s ball across the box. From the resulting penalty; Keating’s finish was emphatic with the striker placing the ball into the top corner of the net.
Bernardo Couto, who again put in an impressive performance, had the final chance of the first half but his dipping strike was just off-target.
Drogheda started the second half with intent but were unable to captailise on their early chances.
Drogheda deservedly drew level, when a counter-attack from the visitors saw Davis receive a pass from Luke Heeney before the striker shifted the ball past Freddie Anderson before placing it into the bottom corner of the net.
It was an even contest for most of the second-half with both sides creating half-chances and neither dominating the game.
Drogheda should have taken the lead when Heeney got on the end of Owen Lambe’s cross but he fired straight at Troost.
Troost; Crowley, Mbeng, Anderson, Couto; Nolan, Murray, Shipston, Nelson: Skieters (O’Sullivan 61), Keating.
Dennison; Bolger (Cruise 88), Bailey, Keely, Lambe, Kane; Brennan, Markey (Heeney 46), Farrell, Davis (Bawa 72), Oluwa (Kareem 90).
R Hennessy
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