Drogheda United U17 2-1 Dundalk FC U17
EA Sports U17 National Underage League Group A
Dundalk’s unbeaten start to the U17 National Underage League season come to an end in a top of the table clash against Drogheda United on Saturday afternoon
Both sides were high on confidence going into the game thanks to three wins and one draw from their opening four fixtures. Drogheda sat top of the table because of their superior goal difference so it was clear that this had the makings of a tight encounter, and so it proved on Boyneside.
The game got off to a scrappy start, with neither side managing to get a hold of the ball for any extended periods. Despite the disjointed nature of the game, Dundalk still managed to create some opportunities and they soon found themselves in the lead through an Ethan Sousa strike.
The visitors held their lead until just before the break when a strike from Drogheda’s Harry Brennan McMahon, from inside his own half, managed to sail over the head of Lilywhites goalkeeper Kayle Wajszczuk and into the net.
The second half continued in a similar vein to the first, with scrappy play all over the pitch and clear-cut chances at a premium. Both sides searched for a second goal but it was Drogheda that found it midway through the second half through Emre Topcu.
Darren McGarry’s side continued to push on in search of an equaliser and created some half-chances but they couldn’t find a leveller and Drogheda condemned the Lilywhites to their first defeat of the season.
The U17 side have a break from league action next week as they participate in the Mark Farren Cup next Saturday.
DUNDALK FC U17: Kayle Wajszczuk, Nikita Aleksandrovic, Craig Moore, Cathal O’Reilly, Anthony Mayo, Tadhg Walsh, Senan Mullen, Eoin Kenny, Dualta Honney, Ethan Sousa, Josh Hand. Subs: Jamie Ryan, Sean Bannon, Cian Walsh, Callum Bonner, Jack Watters, Kuba Bidzinski.
