UCD make second-half amends

UCD 2
Drogheda 1

Second-half goals from Robert Benson and Cillian Morrison earned UCD a deserved victory over Drogheda United in their Premier Division encounter at Belfield last night.

In an enterprising opening from both sides, the visitors should have opened their account in the 11th minute but Declan O’Brien was unfortunate to see his shot from 10 yards rebound to safety off Conor O’Donnell’s right-hand upright.

The hosts gradually began to find holes in the Drogheda defence as David Ryan came to his side’s rescue to deny Robert Benson in the 17th minute and Morrison should have done better when firing straight at the goalkeeper as United failed to clear a Samir Belhout delivery.

The hosts were left to rue those misses as the visitors broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute when Declan O’Brien calmly found Gary O’Neill, who placed a confident shot beyond O’Donnell’s despairing dive from 16 yards.

The students battled in vain to restore parity before the interval but the closest they came was a Belhout effort on the volley in the 37th minute that lacked sufficient power.

Unconvincing attack
The hosts looked unconvincing in attack as the contest evolved but from a fortunate ricochet off Belhout, Benson strode confidently through on goal before delivering a precise finish beyond Ryan.

The comeback was complete four minutes later as Morrison rose highest to nod home Chris Mulhall’s free-kick to move the students to within a point of Drogheda in the league table.

UCD: O'Donnell; Douglas, Boyle, Kavanagh, Matthews; Belhout (Burke, 90+2), Creevy, Benson, Crowe, Mulhall; Morrison.
DROGHEDA UNITED: Ryan; Daly, Andrews, McNally, Grimes; Brady (Walshe, 82), Maher (Crowley, 23) O'Neill, McGuigan, Brennan; O'Brien (Hughes, 76).
Referee: J McKell (Tipperary)