Drogs ⚽ Galway ⚽ Bad Taste

Anthony McIntyre ⚽ One the previous occasion that these sides met we left the ground dejected, circling the relegation drain, the suction of which was growing stronger by the week.

Last night, we vacated Weavers Park in a mood much less solemn despite the unsatisfactory outcome. A 0-0 home draw is simply not good enough from a side that has shown that it can do much better.

I walked over to the game. I could have got a taxi as easy but it was a nice evening and I wanted to listen to a podcast about Sir Keir Freebie, in the top one per cent of UK wage earners, having his clothes paid for him by a rich donor, not to mention gratis tickets for the Arsenal game. Every time I hear the Stranglers song Nice n' Sleazy, I am instantly reminded of this nemesis of pensioners and children. When I opened the ear pod holder as I approached the Dublin Road, it was empty, having forgotten to recharge the ear pods after walking the dog earlier. Betwixt and between, Weavers and home, I opted to continue walking.

Once in the stadium, I kept two seats for Paddy and J who would arrive slightly later than usual due to soccer training. By the time they reached me, well before kickoff, the empty seats were attracting bums without crowd capacity ever being reached. I asked J for his prediction. 2-0 for the Drogs.

On this occasion, it wasn't to be. The Drogs looked jaded. The exertions from Friday night's clash with Bohs in Dublin seemed to have exacted a toll. For the first quarter of the match Drogheda failed to grab control of the game, constantly responding to Galway initiatives rather than taking their own. Hearts paused when Galway hit the woodwork. It wasn't until the 23rd minute that the home side began to find some rhythm, forcing two corners in quick succession and keeping their opponents on the backfoot and pressed into their own half. Frantz Pierrot had a header saved in the final minutes of the half.

The further away the play is from our own goal the more relaxed I am. Which tends to make me an opponent of playing out from the back. To my mind, soccer philosophy should be simple - put as much distance between our goalie and the ball. All this teasing and pirouetting across the backline is to court disaster.

One problem with the Drogs keeper is his kicking out from hands. He either performs a Garryowen where the ball hovers slow motion-like above the centre circle before gravity drags it down, or he hits a long ball with such force that it goes all the way through to the other keeper. Better than pussyfooting around close to his own goal line but still a needless loss of possession. A great shot stopper and very reliable on corners, if the kicking aspect of his game can be developed, a new string will be added to his quality bow.

In the 78th minute the Tribesman breached the defence and were through on goal. Luke Dennison initially misjudged the situation before managing to block a certain goal. When he got up to kick the ball out he did yet another Garryowen, only this time above his own head, never coming close to the centre circle. The groans emitted all around.

When the fourth official signalled six minutes added time, I reminded Paddy that last time Galway visited, the Drogs were 2-1 up at this point in the game only to squander it after ninety minutes. There was to be no repeat this time, but having savoured the sweet taste of victory away from home on Friday, a draw at home leaves something of a bad taste in the mouth.

Drogheda are now five points ahead of Dundalk, with the same number of matches played. Each team has five more games before the end of the season. Catching up with and ultimately overtaking Bohs, allowing the Drogs to avoid the play off, was always a big ask but with the Dalymount Park side losing at Tallaght Stadium last night to Shamrock Rovers, Drogheda have to regard the draw yesterday as a missed opportunity. Four points instead of two now separate the eighth and ninth sides.

Friday night's home fixture against Derry, a more formidable opponent than Galway, will be no walk in the park. The Candy Stripes are serious title contenders, breathing down the neck of Shels. They are not coming to Drogheda on Friday to play in a friendly. If the Drogs only mange to pick up one point this week, while not a disaster, it will be a huge disappointment.

As things stand it looks like the Drogs will make a play off and have a seriously good chance of reaching the cup final in November. If things work out that way, both events will have the cup final excitement to them. A lot for the local soccer aficionado to look forward to.

⏩Follow on Twitter @AnthonyMcIntyre.