City look to avenge semi-final defeat

    Derry City v Drogheda United

Friday 16th August, Brandywell Stadium, 7:45pm

@jp_fahy previews

Derry City go into this one looking to avenge their semi-final defeat eleven days ago as they welcome Mick Cooke’s Drogheda United to the Brandywell for the fourth time this season; the first two meetings finished 1-1 whilst Drogheda ran out easy 3-1 winners in the EA Sports League Cup Semi-Final last Monday night. 
 

It is the sixth meeting between the two this season with Derry having the advantage in the league encounters with a draw and a win whilst United have the upper hand in the cups with two wins and a draw. In the first meeting Derry came up against an inspired Gabriel Sava who single-handedly kept Derry at bay with save after save before a Michael Daly header nine minutes from time grabbed a point for the visitors; whilst a Rory Patterson double and an Alan Byrne own goal sealed a 3-2 victory for the Candystripes at Hunky Dory Park back in May.
 

Derry City
 

However the Candystripes will have to plan without influential centre half Stewart Greacen who suffered a knee problem in the semi-final defeat as well as captain Kevin Deery who is also struggling with his knee. Declan Devine has been able to call upon Thomas Crawley in recent weeks who has been out injured for the last few months with a hamstring injury, with the signing of Eoghan Osborne in the window and the form of Michael Duffy on the wing Crawley, for the time being will have to settle for a place on the bench.

 

 

Drogheda United
 

Drogheda striker Declan ‘Fabio’ O’Brien has scored five goals in five appearances this season against Derry including a brace in the semi-final just over a week ago, however the Co. Louth side must make the trip North without the services of Shane Grimes who is suspended whilst Graham Rusk and Gary O’Neill are both injured.
 

This game will see the league’s two leading marksmen go head to head in the form of Rory Patterson (16) and Declan ‘Fabio’ O’Brien (13); Patterson’s double at UCD last week was first goal(s) since the start of June and the striker will no doubt be delighted to have gotten back on the score sheet after missing a penalty at a crucial stage against Sligo the previous week.  Victory at UCD ended a run of six defeats in seven matches in all competitions whilst Drogheda’s 3-0 win over Limerick was enough to see them claim their first win in nine games so both teams have been a bit rusty recently which should make for a fascinating game.
 

 

Stats

 

- Its the 6th meeting between the sides this season, Derry winning 1 and Drogheda winning 2 with 2 draws (both 1-1 at the Brandywell)

 

- The game see's the leagues top two marksmen go head to head, Rory Patterson (16) & Declan O'Brien (13)

 

- Patterson has scored 4 times against Drogheda this season whilst O'Brien has 5 from 5 against Derry

 

- Derry have taken 4 four points from the two league encounters this season with a Patterson brace at Hunky Dory Park needed to secure a 3-2 win for the Foylesiders

 

- That 3-2 win was only Derry's 2nd win in 10 games against the Boynesiders