Date: 26.08.2023
Match: Drogheda Town vs Borora Juniors
Kick-off: 12:00
Venue: Drogheda, Co. Louth
Borora Juniors players:
1. Leo Fitzgerald
2. Rocco Genockey
3. Matthew Morris
4. Cillian Ryan
5. Lochlann Reilly
6. Jack Moore
8. Aaron McGivern
9. Eoin Murphy (Capt.)
10. Thomas Whelan
11. Cameron McGarry
12.Joseph McGarry
Substitutes:
7. Kevin Fitzpatrick
Players absent:
Liam Brady
Keelan Sheridan
Oisin Sheridan
Callum Teixeira
Oisin McInerney
Drew Donaghy
1st Half:
Borora hit the road again for the second time in 4 days. After their trip to play top of the table Albion Rovers on Wednesday evening, U16 D2 team travelled to Drogheda to face another test against Drogheda Town. Borora were hoping to continue their excellent and determined performance shown earlier in the week against the hosts in Drogheda. The steady, unwavering defensive display shown in Bororas last game was given an early rude awakening after just 2 minutes! From a thrown in won by Borora, Drogheda quickly won back possession and rushed at the Borora goal which ultimately saw the home side 1-0 up in less that 2 minutes. It was evident that nerves played a part in this move as the physical players of Drogheda bore down on the defensive line. However, such is the mentality of this Borora team, that they knew there was plenty of time to get back into the game and immediately put pressure on the Drogheda team pushing them back. Having won a free kick just outside the home side 18 yard box, a clever in swinging ball inadvertently hit the shoulder of Jack Moore, wrong footed the goalkeeper and hit the back of the net. 1-1 after an explosive 4 minute spell.
The remainder of the first half was again very competitive with both sides making tough tackles and breaking up opposing build up play at will. Drogheda had make quite a number of attacking plays that ultimately lead to the final pass being made through the two central defensive players of Drogheda. With the introduction of Kevin Fitzpatrick during the first half to help the midfield line, Borora continued to battle to stay in the game. On each occasion, goalkeeper Leo Fitzgerald was alert every time to race off his line to collect the ball easily when played through - ensuring the strikers frustrations grew with every unsuccessful sprint he made. It was over half an hour later before the next goal did arrive and it was the home side who took the lead after 37 minutes. Having again won the ball back from Borora (when it the ball should have been played out to allow the visitors regroup), Drogheda broke down their right side before unleashing a shot across Leo's goal to the far post to take a narrow advantage at the break. A goal well taken by the Drogheda forward.
Half Time: Drogheda Town 2 - 1 Borora Juniors
2nd Half:
The second half saw Drogheda's physical side come to the fore. Drogheda were now first to alot of the loose balls and were clever enough to pick their passes at will before unleashing the continued barrage of attacks at the Borora goal. In fact, it was just 11 minutes into the second half that Drogheda extended their lead to 3-1 after a neat piece of play saw Drogheda round the goalkeeper and finish into the back of the goal. Borora now needed to adjust their formations and positional play to account for the stream of shots coming at their goal. Bororas did finally get a reward for one of their attacking plays when Jack Moore managed to get his second goal of the game. Jack gave Drogheda a taste of their own medicine in using HIS physical side in managing to shrug off two defenders, race through on goal and place a low shot into the left hand side of the home keepers goal. Score was now 3-2 in the 80th minute. Immediately, Drogheda began calling for majority of their team to cover defensively to prevent the draw and secure their 3 points. Borora sensed the potential for another goal and did mange further chances. However, it was not to be their day when one of those through balls did manage to break the Borora defensive play two minutes later and Drogheda wrapped up the points with a 4-2 victory. This was hard for Borora to take and frustrations boiled over to a point where Goalkeeper Leo Fitzgerald and the Drogheda number nine saw straight red cards in added time following a physical scuffle. This was a disappointing outcome to what was a great game between 2 great teams but in review of the game in its entirety, Drogheda did shade the game and probably got the result that was deserved following the 80 minutes.
Full time: Drogheda Town 4 - 2 Borora Juniors
Player of Match: In a game where Borora felt the exertions of the previous game, there were good performances all round by all players with defensive line having to be alert throughout the game. Cillian Ryan shone throughout the game on the right of the back 4 and also making sprinting runs down the touchline. Well done Cillian.