UCD AFC squandered a two goal lead and then came back from a two goal deficit to earn a massive three points against Drogheda United at Belfield on Saturday evening in what can only be described as an end to end thriller.

The Students got off to a flyer with goals from Samir Belhout and Paul Corry before they were pegged back by the visitors and then found themselves 4-2 down with twenty minutes to play. Martin Russell’s men never gave up and scored three times in the last ten minutes to take the points.

Mark McGinley made his first league start as Ger Barron was a late withdrawal while Dave O’Connor and Ciaran Nangle were both also unavailable so Danny Ledwith continued at left back while Tomas Boyle partnered Mick Leahy at the heart of the defence. It was the midfield though in the opening stages that saw plenty of the ball with the trio of Corry, Creevy and Paul O’Conor dominating proceedings. Darren Meenan and Dean Marshall were posing threats on either wing as UCD pushed for an early goal. They got that on 20 minutes as Paul Corry met Meenan’s cross to head into the bottom corner and their lead was doubled just minutes later. Danny Ledwith this time with the cross from the left and Samir Belhout found himself in acres of space in the six yard box and he headed past Drogs keeper Duggan.

It seemed as if UCD were heading for a comfortable win but Mick Cooke’s Drogheda showed fight to get back into the game and just minutes after Belhout’s goal it could have been 2-1. Tiernan Mulvenna’s effort just went over McGinley’s bar and then Jordan White struck that same bar with a powerful header from close range seconds later. It was signs of things to come and UCD’s hope of a comfortable victory were now diminished. With ten minutes to the break, Drogheda were handed an opportunity to get back into the game when Tomas Boyle was penalised for a push on Mulvenna in the box. Phillip Hand stepped up but failed to hit the target as his left footed penalty struck the post and rebounded to safety, much to the delight of McGinley, who was now being tested on his debut. He responded though with a string of fine saves to deny the visitors but couldn’t deny Gavin Brennan from close range just before the interval.

This was a sign of things to come as after the interval, Drogheda who began the evening one point behind the Students, came out searching for the equaliser and threw everything at the UCD defence. Mick Leahy and co were withstanding the pressure until Mark O’Brien’s shot was saved onto the post and Jordan White tapped into the empty net ahead of Paul O’Conor just before the hour mark. The momentum was now with the Louth side and they took the lead for the first time when Phillip Hand made up for his penalty miss with a fine finish from just outside the area. Things went from bad to worse for UCD as Lee Lynch’s strike deflected past McGinley to make it 4-2 after 64 minutes.

It seemed as though the home side would slump to a costly defeat but they once again showed the spirit which has been evident in recent games. Like St Pats away and Rovers last week, Martin Russell’s men came from the dead and came from two goals behind. During the bombardment on the UCD goal, Sean Harding departed with what looked like a knee injury and he was replaced by Hugh Douglas who went up front to join Belhout. The 18 year old striker made a huge difference, giving his team mates a target up front and held the ball up well.

Drogheda was cruising though and just like UCD earlier, Mick Cooke’s men seemed to be heading for victory but back came the Students. Most of their play came down the right with Paul O’Conor now at right back. With ten minutes to go, Marshall fed Meenan in field and his shot flew past Duggan to give UCD hope. It was now all UCD, urged on by the home crowd, as the goal was crucial in restoring their confidence which had deserted them for most of the second half. Once again O’Conor linked with Marshall down the right and the right back’s cross found Robbie Creevy, who had burst from midfield and his diving header rocketed past Duggan into the bottom corner. There was still six minutes to go and either side could have won it but it only really looked like the Students would bag the three points. Substitute Graham Rusk thought he had blown the game winning chance when his shot from an angle went across the face of goal but Martin Russell’s men were to get one more opportunity which this time, Rusk duly took with just minutes to go. Hugh Douglas held the ball up well and layed it off for Marshall who whipped a cross in which found Rusk who volleyed home.

 It was a quite superb game and a vital three points as UCD now pull away from Drogheda at the bottom of the table. Speaking to ucdsoccer.com after the game, Martin Russell said the squad has great belief and have showed that in recent weeks after coming from behind. The crowd certainly got their moneys worth and the majority went home happy after witnessing a stunning game of end to end football. UCD now have to prepare for Monday’s Cup replay against Shamrock Rovers. Kick off is at 7.45pm and get down to the UCD Bowl to see what promises to be a good game especially following Saturday’s victory.

UCD AFC: Mark McGinley; Sean Harding (Hugh Douglas 50), Daniel Ledwith, Thomas Boyle, Michael Leahy; Paul Corry, Dean Marshall, Robert Creevy, Paul O’Conor, Darren Meenan; Samir Belhout (Graham Rusk, 78).

Subs Not Used: James Kavanagh, Barry McCabe, Stephen Doyle, Gerard Barron, Robbie Benson.

Drogheda United: Robbie Duggan; Stephen Quigley, Philip Hand, Alan McNally, Brian Gannon; Lee Lynch, Peter McMahon (Shane Fitzgerald 70), Mark O’Brien, Jordan White (Daniel Corcoran 74), Gavin Brennan; Tiernan Mulvenna (S Dolan 40).

Subs Not Used: Robbie Gaul, Stephen Trimble, Robbie Clarke.