A goal either side of half time gave UCD a 2-0 win over Drogheda United to push the Students up the Airtricity league table whilst edging the Drogs closer to Bray at the Bottom.
Greg Bolger's spot Kick opened the scoring, just four minutes before half time, Ciaran Kilduff touching Paul Corry's pass into the path of Chris Mulhall who went down under the challenge of Joe Kendrick, dragged out of his position at left back.
Kilduff had terrorised these opponents on matchday one and just 40 seconds after the break he doubled the lead. A looping header which landed just inside Paul Murphy's left hand post. It was Paul Harding's deep cross which picked out his sides star striker, an assist, due reward for the swashbuckling fullback.
Despite going 2-0 down so early in the second half Alan Matthews persisted with lone frontman Colm Smith, until the 70th minute when he was joined by wide man John Flood in a minor reshuffle.
After their opening day three goal drubbing at the hands of the Students, United looked fearful of getting rolled over again on their visit to Belfield. Matching up against UCD's three man midfield they were succesful in stifling Bolger and co. for much of the first half and dominated play in that period, creating the better of the chances.
Flood will be the most disappointed, when, with the game goalless, he mistimed a free header which ended up back with corner taker Brendan McGIll. Also allowed plenty of space was Brian King, who powered a header downwards in first half stoppage time only for Billy Brennan to tip round the post.
It was Dwayne Wilson who provided a rare danger moment for the hosts, tearing after Brian Shortall's long pass up the line. A powerful runner, Wilson turned Jamie Harris inside and out but once inside the box, the veteran centre back made no mistake with the tackle.
That signalled a momentum shift in a first half where the visitors dominated but went in trailing as Paul Corry, Bolger and Peter McMahon got a foothold in the game. The latter of UCD's midfield trio attempting an audacious chip shortly after his side took the lead, it was slightly overhit, however and rippled only the roof of the net.
The concession of Kilduff's fourth goal of the season so early in the second half was a body blow for the Drog's and chances became rare, two of them falling to Brian King, including a beautifully struck half volley went narrowly over Brennan's crossbar.
From the moment Bolger slotted his penalty to the 'keepers right, UCD always looked most likely to score. The pace of Kilduff, Mulhall and later David McMillan too much for the Louthmen to handle. And the small home support thought there was a third goal to celebrate when Corry's left foot curler rippled the net after going narrowly wide.
UCD (4-3-3): Billy Brennan, Paul Harding, Andy Boyle, Brian Shortall (for Ciaran Nangle '55), Greg Bolger, Peter McMahon, Paul Corry, Chris Mulhall, Dwayne Wilson (for David McMillan '65), Ciaran Kilduff
Subs not used: Stephen Roche, Keith Ward, Ger Barron
Drogheda United (4-3-3): Paul Murphy, Corie Tracey Alan McNally, Jamie Harris, Joe Kendrick, Brendan McGIll, Michael Daly, Brian King, Jamie Duffy, John Flood, Colm Smith
Subs not used: Paul Skinner, Damien Brennan, Derek Kierans, Paul Matando
Referee: D Hanney
Att: 215
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