Drogheda United vs Derry City 2-0

Drogheda United beat Derry City 2-0 at United Park, with Brandon Kavanagh’s early goal setting the tone and Mark Doyle sealing it after coming off the bench. Derry had most of the ball and most of the attempts, but Drogheda took their chances.

Kavanagh opened the scoring in the 7th minute, finishing to make it 1-0, and that remained the score at half-time. Derry were left to chase the game from there.

The visitors made two changes on 63 minutes, and Drogheda responded with two of their own on 69 minutes, including taking off Kavanagh and Thomas Oluwa. Doyle, who had come on in the 69th minute, then made it 2-0 in the 83rd minute. Drogheda also changed again on 77 minutes, while Derry sent on Gavin Whyte on 75 minutes. The home side protected the lead through the closing stages.

The numbers backed Derry’s territory without changing the result. They had 79% possession and 610 passes to Drogheda’s 164, while also leading 29 shots to 4, 5 shots on target to 2, 11 corners to 4 and 1.33 expected goals to 0.92. Drogheda, though, had 5 saves to Derry’s 0 and both sides finished level on 7 fouls.

Nick Twisk was booked for Derry in the 23rd minute. Drogheda’s Edwin Agbaje and Thomas Oluwa were both booked on 62 minutes, Jamie Stott went into the book for Derry on 79 minutes, and Jago Godden was booked for Drogheda in the 90th minute of stoppage time.