National League/Drogheda United 1 UCD 0: Drogheda United's unbeaten start to the league season continued with this hard-earned victory over UCD at United Park last night.
The league leaders were short a number of regulars and were well below their best in the first half, but a goal right at the start of the second from midfielder Stephen Bradley got them on their way.
The home side should have added to their tally and could have paid the price right at the end of the game when the visitors almost forced an equaliser.
With five minutes gone Alan Cawley's snap shot from the edge of the box was well held by Dan Connor before Darragh Ryan broke down the left and crossed for Conor Sammon, who drove his shot narrowly wide.
It was half an hour before Drogheda threatened the visitors' goal as they almost scored with their first attack.
Bradley knocked a lovely ball over the UCD defence for Sami Ristila, whose shot on the volley was brilliantly tipped around the post by Darren Quigley.
The goalkeeper easily caught the resulting corner kick and set his side on the attack down the left, where for the second time in the half Ryan raced to the end line, crossing into the danger zone. This time Connor missed the ball entirely but Paul Byrne's header fell just the wrong side of the Drogheda post to the relief of the home side.
Two minutes into the second half United hit the front following some excellent work down the left by James Keddy, who pulled the ball across goal. Shane Robinson dummied, allowing the ball run onto Bradley, who drove his shot from 10 yards to the net off Quigley's hands.
With 65 minutes gone Bradley was only inches away from a second when his cracking drive from 30 yards whizzed past the angle of post and crossbar.
Bradley then turned provider for Glen Fitzpatrick, who should have done much better when pulling his shot wide from the edge of the box.
UCD almost snatched a point in added time when Ryan's cross from out on the left deceived Connor and came back off the crossbar. However, the inrushing Sammon couldn't force the ball home and Connor eventually smothered to ensure maximum points for Drogheda.
Drogheda: Connor, Webb, Gavin, Gartland, Robinson (Fahey 90), Fitzpatrick, Keddy, Shelley, Bradley (Lynch 78), Keegan, Ristila (Whelan 62).
UCD: Quigley, Mahan, Ryan, Shortall, McDonnell, Hurley (Byrne C 78), Cawley (Matthews 78), Dicker, Byrne P (Doyle 78), Sammon, McWalter.
Referee: Damien Hancock (Dublin).
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