Alfie Lewis hopeful Dundalk can reach a higher level and compete for league title

Alfie Lewis believes Dundalk FC will need to better control matches if they are to mount any kind of serious challenge at the top of the SSE Airtricity League table this season.  

The Lilywhites defeated Drogheda United 1-0 away from home last week, but were under the cosh for large spells at Weavers Park, and had goalkeeper Nathan Shepperd to thank after he kept out Freddie Draper’s penalty-kick in the closing stages.

“We’re delighted,” Lewis said afterwards. “It’s always a hard place to come, Drogheda, for a derby. So it puts us in a good little run of form now coming into the break.

“Once we scored, they started to go direct and we had to deal with that. So we knew what type of game it was going to be and we would’ve liked to have kept the ball probably a little bit more, probably have more control of the game, but overall, to get a win here, a clean sheet, it’s good.”  

Dundalk won the game through a goal from Connor Malley, who had been set up by Rayhaan Tulloch, following what was some outstanding play from defender Andy Boyle.

“Boyler I thought was class to be fair,” added Lewis. “He was getting his head on everything. The goal came at a good time, and then luckily we managed a great save from Sheps as well for the penalty. We rode our luck a little bit, but you need that at times.

“But if we want to be up there this season, competing for the title, then we need to have more control in these games, passing on the ball, finding the extra man. We’ll get to that stage and we’ve shown that today. Sometimes you just need to grind it out, and we did, but there’s definitely room to improve.”

Dundalk’s next league fixture after the international break will be played against Shamrock Rovers at Oriel Park on March 31st, but they are in action tonight in the Leinster Senior Cup against Shelbourne at home (kick-off, 7.45pm).