Cliftonville 0-2 Drogheda United
Monday, 22 September 2008 22:17A goal in each half from Eamon Zayed and Adam Hughes proved enough for Drogheda to secure a home draw in the Setanta Cup semi-finals at a freezing Celtic Park in Belfast tonight.
Drogheda boss Paul Doolin, aware that Cork City could still steal top spot in Group A by achieving a better result against Dungannon, fielded a strong side against the Irish League side, who had nothing but pride to play for after winning only one of their five previous games in the competition.
The Boynesiders won no fewer than five corner kicks inside the first nine minutes as they sought an early goal, and opportunities began to flow from the 17th minute when Eamon Zayed released Shane Robinson who shot across the face of goal.
Then Brian Shelley and Zayed combined to pick out Ollie Cahill and his curling shot from 18 yards drifted narrowly wide.
Zayed just failed to get on the end of a clever Adam Hughes chip, but on the half-hour Drogheda's leading scorer did get on the scoresheet, flashing a superb half-volley to the roof of the net from 15 yards after Shane Barrett's cross had been partially cleared.
Zayed looked certain to add to his tally on 50 minutes after being picked out by Barrett, but his close-range header from point-blank range was brilliantly pushed round the post by Cliftonville keeper John Connolly.
Four minutes later, however, Drogheda doubled their lead when Zayed released Cahill on the left flank and the veteran's centre was tapped in by Hughes.
A mixture of fine goalkeeping and poor finishing in the latter stages saved Cliftonville from a heavier defeat, and the home side failed to muster a shot at goal in the entire 90 minutes.
Cliftonville: Connolly, R Scannell, O'Hara, M Holland, Hamill, C Scannell, Donaghy, B Holland, O'Neill, O'Connor, Patterson. Subs: Sweeney for M Holland (62min), Alexander for Hamill (67min), Pearse for Donaghy (69min).
Drogheda United: Ewings, Shelley, Tambouras, Gartland, Kendrick, Barrett, Robinson, Hughes, Cahill, Ristila, Zayed. Subs: Kuduzovic for Zayed (66min), Baker for Cahill (69min).
Referee: Trevor Moutry (Belfast).
