3rd April 2010

Bohemians v Drogheda United

Match Report

Airtricity League of Ireland
Bohs 1 Drogs 0

This was the performance Drogs fans have been waiting for since our win over Pats all those weeks ago. The capitulation against Dundalk on Friday last wasn’t the best preparation for this match in the wide open spaces of Dalymount, but compared to our recent from this was great display. OK, the last minute goal was a bit of a bummer, but the performance for the 90minutes was good all around the park and bore no relationship to the sub-par efforts of the last few weeks.

Paul Skinner returned to goals and we continued with the back four of Tracey, Kendrick McNally and Harris. In our 5 man midfield we had O’Connor, Daly and Crowley in the middle and Brendan McGill and Brian King on the flanks. Colm Smith continued up front as our lone striker. Bohs started with the usual Bohs onslaught as we expected, but the difference this time was that McNally and Harris upper their game big time and this rubbed off on Joe and Corie. And with this confidence at the back, our midfielders came more into the game.

Garreth O’Connor’s duel with Keego was one of the highlights of the match and as the first half continued, the hard work and unselfish running of Colm Smith, Brendan McGill and Brian King ensured that the Bohs back four did not have time to pick out their passes. The pattern of the first half was Bohs moving the ball sound at the back, trying to make the good pass through our midfield and back line, and inevitably we either blocked the ball out, or if a cross came over Harris or McNally were well placed to clear. We attacked only occasionally and had a good chance on the half hour when Paul Crowley shot wide from a good Brian King corner. Paul Skinner came out well for everything and we went in at half time 0-0.

Our Achilles heel over the last few weeks has been the sucker punch just after half time. This time we stood firm and held our concentration and the pattern of the second half followed the first. Colm Smith ran himself into the ground and was replaced on 65 by Glen Fitz. Otherwise, our concentration did not drop and it seemed to be heading for a deserved 0-0 draw until Bohs pop up in the 90th minute to take advantage of our one defensive lapse in a long an gruelling match. But, let’s not dwell too much on the goal. This was a good team performance which deserved more than a point.

Team: Skinner, Treacy, Kendrick, McNally (Damien Brennan 88), Harris, B.McGill, O’Connor, King, Crowley, Smith (Fitzpatrick 65)

Subs not used: E.McGill, Murphy, Ryan Brennan