Cailloce's 14-minute treble gets Drogs title bid back on track
Drogheda United 4-0 Wexford, EA Sports League of Ireland Men's Under 20 Tier One, Drogheda Institute of Further Education, 12/10/24
A title triumph is in the hands of Drogheda United’s Under 20s after a set of results on Saturday afternoon that swung the battle in their favour and away from UCD. With three games to play, the Drogs now lead the table by three points.
The victory over Wexford was overdue, a first win in six games in all competitions. After 15 wins in 19 games to start the season, form had dropped off to the extent where the Students had assumed control in the title race. Last weeks last gasp equaliser - scored by goalkeeper Finn Moore - may prove the defining moment in the campaign.
UCD, having suffered that blow seven days earlier, fell to defeat against Cork City on Saturday. As the clock ticked into the 94th minute last week, Drogheda were staring down the barrel of a three point deficit at the summit. A cushion of the same margin would have seemed so improbable as Moore made his way forward deep into injury time the previous Saturday.
This time Killian Cailloce was the United hero. His 14-minute hat-trick ensured this game was over the half hour mark. Wexford could hardly lay a glove on United. Conall Cronin also got on the scoresheet, in between Cailloce’s second and third goals.
The Drogs worked the ball well across the pitch for their opener just nine minutes in. Bridel Bosakani, back in the team having missed the previous outing due to first team commitments, started the move. It ended when Cailloce received Sean McCarthy’s pass. He required a couple of bites of the cherry but he drilled a low shot past Thomas Wright for his 13th goal of the season.
He wouldn’t have to wait much longer for goals 14 and 15. Drogheda built up play on the right before Cailloce picked the ball up on the edge of the area. He needed just one touch to get the ball out of his feet, before firing another low shot - this time across the goalkeeper and into the far corner.
Three minutes later, some more fine play, this time off the left, led to the impressive Cronin receiving the ball on the turn and shooting across the goalkeeper once again. This time, the opposite corner of the net bulged.
Wexford were simply too standoffish and Drogheda could play the ball around them with ease. It was easy for the hosts and the instruction from the away bench was to be harder in tackle and stronger in individual battles.
The fourth goal arrived five minutes later. Cailloce meeting Callum Warren’s corner from the left and touching in. Wexford’s defenders were unable to effect the delivery or their opponents in any meaningful way.
There was a little more battle in the visitors in the second half. With the game won, Drogheda made a host of substitutions in attacking areas and their threat, understandably, waned. One task complete, their attentions turned to keeping a clean sheet. Mark Imiren was among the Youths players who took aim at Moore’s goal but to no avail.
DROGHEDA UNITED: Finn Moore; Manny Milongo, Osaze Irhue, Evan Haddock, Sean McCarthy, Callum Warren (Ultan McLaughlin, 76), James Byrne; Bridel Bosakani (Theo Dunne, 80), Conall Cronin (Cian Cleary, 70), Harry O’Connor (Cameron Feehan, 76); Killian Cailloce (Sam Case, 70).
WEXFORD: Thomas Wright; Mark Imiren, Anthony Ebhonuaye, Dylan Browne, D McGrath (Robbie O’Toole, 72); H Sherlock, J Wasilewski (D Holden, 46), R Scanlon (B Ishola, 72), Alex Kelliher, Sean Fitzpatrick (L Fitzpatrick, 61); Anthony Adenopo (B Stafford, 81).
REFEREE: Umre Akkilic