Galway United entertain league leaders Drogheda United tomorrow night, where a win could put them top of the table.
Although an unlikely scenario, it is one worth entertaining as it underscores how tight the table is shaping up 12 games in, and how both teams continue to punch above their weight. Three points separate the top six, there is a scenario where that could reduce to one by the end of tomorrow night.
This competitiveness was evident in Tolka Park on Monday evening, when United twice came back from behind to earn a point away against the champions.
As he did on his last trip to the capital, Moses Dyer stole the show with two expert finishes that catapulted him to tied top of the league’s scoring charts.
The first made the most of a quick ball forward. Finding himself on the right, the Kiwi had plenty to do. He cut in and curled to the top corner to cancel out Ellis Chapman’s earlier effort.
United coughed up a somewhat soft second to Mipo Odubeko but responded brilliantly in the last 20. Sean Kerrigan again made an impact off the bench. Bobby Burns capped a fine performance by laying off to Dyer who struck sweetly for 2-2.
It was a tonic for the travelling fans who had endured probably their most disappointing night of the campaign at home to Derry.
Friday was an atrocious night weatherwise on the Dyke Road and this was reflected in an attendance of 2,216. Just over half the amount that took in the Rovers game. United played second fiddle for most of the game. Their cause was not aided when they were reduced to 10 men early in the second half.
Having suffered two reversals in a row at home, there is an added importance to the game against Drogheda. The cup champions were tipped to struggle, having lost some key performers and missing others through injury.
Kevin Doherty’s side have confounded expectations and have managed to get the best out of a number of players who had struggled elsewhere in the league.
Shane Farrell had a well-publicised departure from Shelbourne. Thomas Oluwa is showing form that he failed to generate in Galway. Conor Keeley has been inspirational upon his return from St Pat’s. No one has conceded less than Luke Dennison who failed to feature much while at Galway United.
They have also got impressive performances from Ryan Brennan, Warren Davis and Darragh Markey who had already been at the club.
John Caulfield will therefore have a good idea of what he is coming up against. He will be encouraged by his side’s record against Drogs, with two wins and three draws from their last five encounters.
The sight of Brendan Clarke back between the sticks last Monday offered the group further confidence. His distribution and shot stopping enhanced the team, even if Evan Watts deputised superbly in his absence.
Conor McCormack tasted a few minutes at the end in Drumcondra, which adds to the options in midfield. Kerrigan is pushing for more and more involvement.
There are plenty of options as to who will make up the numbers on the field. The numbers off the field will be interesting too. The relatively low attendance at the Derry game acts as a reminder that there is still a fragility to what is being built off the field.
On it, there have been plenty of positives but avoiding a third home defeat in a row is important.
