Trabzonspor suffered a 1-0 defeat to sister club Drogheda United in a friendly at Papara Park on Thursday evening. The only goal of the match came in the 86th minute from Drogheda United's Edwin Agbaje.

This was the first meeting between the two clubs since their official sister-club relationship was established in 2010. The connection dates back to 2006 when Trabzonspor fans online noticed Drogheda United's crest featured the star and crescent, symbols from the Turkish flag. Their shared claret-and-blue colours further cemented the bond. Drogheda United chief executive Rian Wogan said, "In 2006, in a Trabzonspor forum online, a couple of fans realised that there was a small Irish club that had the star and crescent, which are obviously symbols from the Turkish flag."

The friendship turned into tangible solidarity in 2008 when Drogheda United entered examinership. Trabzonspor supporters learned of their plight and sent letters containing cash to help the Irish club. A planned friendly in Dublin in 2013 was cancelled due to a deluge of rain. This time, between 30 and 35 Drogheda United fans made the 4,700km trip to Turkey, with some Trabzonspor supporters offering them accommodation.

MATCH DETAILS AND LINEUPS

Trabzonspor were without 12 players away on international duty, plus the injured Okay Yokuşlu and Malinovskyi. The starting XI was Ahmet Doğan Yıldırım, Fabinho, Cenk Özkaçar, Murat Mert Lakot, Cihan Çanak, Ozan Tufan, Mendy, Ahmet Güren, Bouchouari, Metehan Mimaroğlu, and Onuachu. Drogheda United started with Talley, Burney, Keeley, Quinn, Kane, Farrel, Kavanagh, O'brien, Agbaje, Davis, and Doyle. The referee was Yasin Kol.

Clear chances were few in a tightly-contested match. Trabzonspor's top scorer this season, Mohamed Salah, who has 7 goals in 6 appearances, was not involved. Wogan noted, "He might not be in the squad, but even to have him in the stadium would be incredible." The game looked headed for a goalless draw until the 86th minute, when Edwin Agbaje scored. Trabzonspor fans applauded the goal. After the final whistle, players and staff from both clubs posed for a joint photo, and Drogheda United players walked into the stands to greet the home supporters.

The result comes amid a patchy run of form for Trabzonspor, who have recorded 2 wins and 3 losses in their last five competitive matches. Sitting 7th in the Süper Lig with 10 points from 6 games, the Black Sea Storm now turn their focus back to the league. Their next fixture is away to 16th-placed Samsunspor on Saturday, 10 October.

The report in full is at BBC Sport Football