Shamrock Rovers push for a European place continued at a misty Tallaght Stadium with an efficient 4-1 win over a battling Drogheda United, courtesy of second half goals from Gary Shaw, Trevor Clarke along with substitutes James Doona and Aaron Bolger
Shamrock Rovers push for a European place continued at a misty Tallaght Stadium with an efficient 4-1 win over a battling Drogheda United, courtesy of second half goals from Gary Shaw, Trevor Clarke along with substitutes James Doona and Aaron Bolger.
Rovers finished a scoreless first half on top after a relatively even opening half hour. Gary Shaw was unlucky when his flick found the butt of an upright after good play on the Rovers left between Luke Byrne and Brandon Miele.
A first half switch in wings between Trevor Clarke and Brandon Miele reaped rich dividend. Immediately after half time, Clarke attacked down the right wing. His pass found skipper Ronan Finn who looped a high cross into the box. Michael O’Connor laid the ball back for the inrushing Gary Shaw who swept the ball past Stephen McGuinness from ten yards.
Clarke seemed to have wrapped-up the three points on 63 minutes when he slotted Aaron Bolger’s through ball under McGuiness and into the net.
The Louthmen were handed a brief lifeline four minutes later when Sean Brennan clipped the ball in off an upright from Mark Doyle’s cross. But James Doona restored a two-goal cushion for the Hoops with a smart strike in the 81st minute.
Aaron Bolger made it four with his first senior goal in added time. A well-drilled Drogheda side fought hard all through but some shoddy defending late on saw them fall to a 1-4 reverse that the bulk of their performance scarcely merited.
