A hugely impressive Drogheda United hit top spot in the Premier Division tonight after easily accounting for Bray Wanderers at United Park.
Bray were trailing from the third minute when Clive Delaney tripped Sami Ristila on the edge of the box and James Keddy curled the resulting free kick in off the post.
The home support were stunned into silence in the 14th minute when Alan Cawley struck a 35-yard free into the top corner of the net, past statuesque Drogheda keeper Dan Connor, but the Drogs replied almost immediately when a sweeping move ended with Keddy firing narrowly wide.
So it was no surprise when Shane Robinson’s cross was flicked on by Eamon Zayed and Graham Gartland nodded in at the far post on 20 minutes.
Robinson almost made it 3-1 with a sweet strike from distance, however, Bray could have been level for a second time when Gary McCabe spotted Connor out of position and struck a fierce shot from the corner of the box which cannoned off the inside of the post.
Another opportunity fell to Stephen Fox, who out-muscled Gartland before seeing his close-range effort deflected over the bar.
But the Drogs deservedly doubled their advantage just before the interval when they quickly turned defence into attack and Ristila’s final pass picked out Gavin Whelan whose powerful angled shot beat keeper Steve Williams.
And the game was over as a contest when Bray conceded a fourth after 53 minutes, Zayed profiting from Gartland’s brave header before teeing up Ristila for an easy finish.
Drogheda could have added to their tally in the closing stages as they hit cruise control, although Gary McCabe almost grabbed a late consolation.
