North End resume on high note in derby
North End too good for Bohs in derby
WEXFORD BOHS NORTH END UNITED 1 5
NORTH END’S class shone through as they dispatched an understrength and under-par Wexford Bohemians in the opening game of the Wexford Football League Premier Division in Drinagh on Sunday morning.
The newly-promoted Bohs wouldn’t have faced a town derby in the top division for a number of years, but two goals just before the half-time interval ruined any hope of a memorable return to the top flight.
The home side were under pressure from the very start as they tried to adjust to an intensity which they would not have been accustomed to last season in Division 1.
Paul ‘Spot’ Murphy’s deliveries into the Bohs’ penalty area were causing problems, and Patsy Malone could have given his side an early lead had his header found a corner rather than the gloves of Wayne Carty.
However, the ball was in the net by the twelfth minute. Gary Dempsey’s corner was powerfully headed home by Gary Delaney for North End’s first league goal of the season.
It could have got immediately worse for the Drinagh lads as Delaney sent another shot inches wide from the edge of the box, and while Kyle Dempsey was probably lucky to stay on the pitch after an off-the-ball incident, Jason Murphy soon had the ball in the net again only to be denied by the offside flag.
After weathering some of the storm, Bohs enjoyed a purple patch where they really needed to make their opportunities count. After a number of tame shots towards goal, Dermot Flood pulled an important save from Dylan Owens.
From the resulting corner, Jack Murphy placed into the side-netting from six yards out at the back post.
As good teams do, North End punished Bohs’ lack of ruthlessness in front of goal by scoring twice in quick succession before the break, effectively ending the tie.
Another header, this time by Jason Murphy, found the top right corner before Paul ‘Spot’ Murphy robbed Aaron Goodison in possession, and played Adam Beary through for the striker to slot the ball into the bottom left corner of the net.
The beginning of second-half was a much more even affair. North End had taken their foot off the gas and Bohs regained some confidence.
This came to a peak in the 78th minute when Willie Lambert glanced in a header, and for one fleeting moment Bohs had hope.
That hope was dashed less than 90 seconds later. Paul Murphy played Beary in and he placed under the goalkeeper on this occasion. Beary completed his hat-trick in injury time, exchanging passes with Paul Murphy before side-footing home with the help of the post.