Marching down the Dyke an hour before kick-off, the Drogheda fans sang loudly about winning away. So it was, but scarcely in the manner that would have been predicted.
There had been some doom and gloom around Galway United but they turned in a brave and battling performance that merited at least a point.
It had been cagey early. The visitors pressed the most in the opening stages. Edwin Agbaje caused a scare with a snapshot in the box. Thomas Oluwa marauded through three defenders before Wasiri Williams made a monster tackle to deny him.
The new centre-half was at the pitch of the battle. He saw yellow for a heavy tackle and then hit the bar with the goal at his mercy. Jimmy Keohane couldn’t convert the rebound either.
Francely Lomboto also stood out on his return to his hometown club. He ran the channels gamely. The home team continued their ascendancy after the break but couldn’t convert their chances. Keohane, Stephen Walsh, Arthur Parker and Lee Devitt all went close.
Though Drogheda improved, a defining moment came in the 64th minute. Keohane was upended by Andrew Quinn in the box. The penalty was awarded. After facing down Luke Dennison, David Hurley shot wide with the spot-kick.
Drogheda could afford to bring in reinforcements. Warren Davis in particular caused some consternation. The other two combined for the winner.
Ryan Brennan showed strength and class in the box to hold it up and lay it off for Jago Godden who thundered it into the bottom corner to spark jubilation.
Watts; Parker, Brouder, Williams, Facchineri, Devitt; Keohane (Wolfe 71), Bolger (McCormack 90), Hurley; Lomboto, Walsh (Twardek 86).
Dennison; Agbaje, Quinn, Keeley, Burney, Kane; O’ Brien, Farrell (Godden 62), Kavanagh (Brennan 66); Oluwa, Doyle (Davis 66).Â
Oliver Moran.
