18th August
Dundalk once again drew 0-0, this time against local unsponsored rivals Drogheda. Drogheda fielded a young team and left winger Michael Gahan was impressive. In hindsight Dundalk, against a team with little experience should have won. The individual performances were not that bad and the players were all committed but in front of goal there was no fluency.
With Brian Byrne injured Chris Hammon partnered David Ward and this strikeforce is not the one that will serve us well when the league starts. The players did not link up at all as far as I can remember and both look to be the same type of striker although Hammon was far more impressive. Of the four strikers Withnell, Byrne, Hammon and Ward the only combination that would not work would be tonight's pairing. Drogheda started brightly and squandered a chance in the first minute when Beggs shot over. Dundalk had one good chance in the half when a loose ball fell to Chris Hammon but his shot was straight at the keeper.
After half time David Hoey's low drive shaved the post. Chris Hammon was put through soon after by Noel Melvin but it was on his left foot, by the time he brought it back to his right he was closed down and the shot was tame. Drogheda looked dangerous at set pieces and Gahan and Nugent on the wings posed a problem although when Shane Reddish was introduced Gahan found it harder. Mick Doohan was pushed into attack in a last throw of the dice and a much improved Paudie Gollogly replaced David Ward and covered for Doohan at the back. What followed was a barrage of long balls into the Drogheda half but Doohan failed to capitalise on them.The main incident of the half was when David Crawley [ who was getting a lot of stick from the always factual Drogheda fans] fairly won the ball off Dixie Nugent. Nugent proceded to roll around for a while and the ref scandalously booked Crawley. After that every time Nugent got the ball he was hounded down by Dundalk players and eventually got nailed by a David Hoey tackle.
Once again Dundalk's midfield is the problem. Melvin and Carlyle worked hard but there is only a need for one in the team to play in midfield alongside an attacking midfielder. Is that what Lee Thew is ? If he is get him signed as soon as possible because until then we don't look like scoring.
All the players turned in competent but unspectacular performances . Ray Campbell tried things and made many fine runs yet there was no one to capitalise on his crosses. He was committed and was the best of the 4 midfielders. He gets my vote .. just.
Steve Williams 6
Tom McNulty 6
David Crawley 7
Mick Doohan 6
Kevin Brady 6
Noel Melvin 7
Paul Carlyle 6
David Hoey 7
Ray Campbell 7
David Ward 6
Chris Hammon 7
SUBS
Padraig Gollogly 7
Shane Reddish 7