Having been one of the standout talents in last years League of Ireland First Division Drogheda United’s James Brown is grabbing the spotlight with both hands as the twenty-two-year-old continues to excel on the biggest stage. Brown put in a man-of-the-match display as the County Louth club earned another Premier Division point thanks to a 1-1 draw at home to Finn Harps on Saturday evening with Brown providing the assist for Mark Doyle’s equaliser in the second half. Despite all of that, Brown cut a disappointed figure after the match as the former Shelbourne youngster felt his team could have gone on and found a winner late on.
FULL-TIME: Drogheda United 1-1 Finn Harps @Kieran_B_Sport reports on a thrilling second half from @HeadInTheGameIE Park. pic.twitter.com/cSNoRnuLsE
— Between the Stripes (@betweenstripes) April 3, 2021
“We were pushing on towards the end, I thought we really came on in the second half, it was a scrappy game but we really got on top when Darragh (Markey) came on, we got balls in behind that changed the game and we had chances to win it and we probably feel like there are points dropped,” remarked James Brown who is affectionately known as Jimmy by everyone at Head In The Game Park.
Reflecting further on the mood within the Drogs dressing room after the match Brown admitted while he still feels there may have been a winner in the closing stages for the home side that a point against one of the league’s unbeaten sides probably wasn’t the worst result in the world.
“At the end of the day when you go behind against Finn Harps nine times out of ten you’re not coming back so really it is a good point and it’s a good thing the lads are disappointed because it’s we know we can do better in this league and that’s a good sign” commented Brown who scored on the final night of the season in 2020 as Drogheda United lifted the First Division crown away to Cabinteely.
Up next for United it is a renewal of rivalries from last season’s First Division as the Drogs head to Bishopsgate for a big meeting with Longford Town who have also totted up a win, a draw and a defeat from their first three matches back in the top-flight. Looking ahead to the game Brown is under no illusions as to the task at hand if Drogheda United are to end their recent drought against the Midlanders.
“The First Division is a competitive league you look at ourselves and Longford coming up and getting points, we’re both battling well and I’d expect it to be a good game next week. To be honest with you, we are holding our own, the way we’re going and the experience we have in the team we are a match for anyone on our day” replied a confident Brown.
Picking up on Brown’s point regarding the level of experience within the Drogheda ranks the likes of Dane Massey, Gary Deegan and Dinny Corcoran all played starring roles in Saturday’s game at Head In The Game Park with Brown admitting he is enjoying the opportunity to play with and learn off such established names at this level.
“It’s quality, last year we didn’t have a lot of experience but this year you’re always on the ball (mentally) with the likes of Deegan always there and you can see how good they are, the likes of Dinny Corcoran he’s flying and he’s only played a game and a half after missing a lot of pre-season, they’re great to play with and they open up the game, it’s just the little things you learn off them not only on the pitch but off it as well, you just see how professional they are because they’ve been there and done it” said Brown.
