Waterford struggle to cope with Drogheda

Waterford United 0 Drogheda United 3: Drogheda United proved much too fast and sharp for struggling Waterford at the RSC last night.

It was Waterford's first home defeat of the season and it also marked the first time that Waterford-born Shane Robinson was on the winning side in a visit to his native city.

Now unbeaten in 10 games, Drogheda got off to a dream start after four minutes when Alan Reilly floated over a free kick and Gavin Whelan raced through the defence to head powerfully home from six yards.

The visitors almost went two up on 17 minutes when Stephen Bradley put the ball over the bar from six yards. However, dominant Drogheda scored a second goal on 23 minutes when Stuart Malcolm was perfectly placed at the far post to head home a corner from the left. Waterford tried to rally but Drogheda goalkeeper Gary Rogers did well to turn out a Kevin Waters shot for a corner on 26 minutes.

Six minutes before the break Waterford came within a whisker of reducing the deficit when a Kenny Browne header from a Colm Heffernan free struck Rogers and ricocheted back into play off the upright.

The second half was only three minutes old when Drogheda got their third. Man of the match Reilly was causing problems all night from dead-ball situations and, on this occasion, his inswinging corner from the right was turned into his own net by Pat Purcell.

Waterford United: Russell; Andrews, Browne, Grant, Breen, Purcell, Heffernan, Mulcahy, Doyle, Sullivan, Waters. Subs: Bruton for Andrews (half-time), Crowley for Heffernan (60 mins), Finn for Sullivan 78 mins).

Drogheda United: Rogers; Lynch, Webb, Gray, Malcolm, Bradley, Robinson, Whelan, O'Brien, Freeman, Reilly. Subs: Tyrell for Whelan (65 mins), Leech for Freeman (88 mins), Sandulieto for Reilly (78 mins).

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).