Flores’ double gives Bohs the edge in derby
This is the type of result that might ignite Bohs’ season First defeat of season for Shels
SHELBOURNE’S unbeaten start to the season was brought to an end by Bohemians in a lively northside derby in a sold-out and raucous Tolka Park last night. Two goals from their skipper Jordan Flores in the space of three first-half minutes, the opener from a penalty spot, turned this game on its head and gave the Gypsies a platform for an impressive win that may just kickstart Alan Reynolds’ tenure.
Like every other game last night, there was a slight delay to kick-off because League of Ireland referees made a protest over expenses, pay and conditions. And Paul McLoughlin would end up playing a significant part in a dramatic match, pointing to the penalty spot twice — although both were fairly nailed-on — while handing out a number of bookings, including to the Bohs boss.
For much of the first half, Shelbourne were on top and they dominated posession without carving any real clear-cut opportunities. Sean Boyd will have thought he should have done better after being set up by JJ Lunny, while another half-chance fell to John Martin. But in truth, the visitors were fairly comfortable before the game flipped on its head in the 36th minute when the excellent James Akintunde — a thorn in the side of Shels defence all evening — chased a long ball, out-muscling and then out-pacing Gavin Molloy before a flustered Conor Kearns came out and shunted him off the ball. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
The Bohs skipper stepped up and struck the penalty superbly to the far corner beyond the Shelbourne goalkeeper’s reach. Having been second best for much of the first-half, the visitors’ tails were suddenly up. Dayle Rooney danced into the Shelbourne box only for Paddy Barrett to deflect his shot out of play.
From James Clarke’s resultant corner, Flores rose highest to guide a bullet of a header past Kearns in a setpiece routine straight off the training ground.
Within three firsthalf minutes, the Gypsies had completely flipped the game on its head. Shelbourne did search for the goal which would have given the scoreline a fairer reflection. Declan McDaid was booked for chopping down Will Jarvis, but the set-piece came to nothing.
Flores’ brace gave Bohemians a cushion for the night and they played with confidence for the opening few minutes after the restart. Will Jarvis had just been named player of the month for March but the exciting Hull loanee cut a frustrated and marginal figure for much of this game. However, just after the hour mark, he had a chance to make his mark when Dayle Rooney took down Tyreek Wilson just inside the box.
Jarvis stepped up and cut the deficit in half. Shels were now in the ascendency and Boyd had a great chance to equalise a couple of minutes later. But after the initial onslaught after the Shels goal, Bohs steadied themselves again and took control of matters. Shelbourne weren’t helped by skipper Mark Coyle having to leave the fray with an injury and Damien Duff’s side simply were unable to play with the same fluency that has seen them rush out to an early-season lead in the title race.
Both Duff and centre-back Paddy Barrett were preaching caution earlier this week about their position on top of the table, pointing out that only a quarter of the season has gone. And this was a reminder to Shelbourne and their supporters that there is still a long way to go in this season.
But for their northside rivals, this is the type of result that might ignite their season.
They had a lot of good performances. Akintunde put in an excellent shift up front, Jevon Mills and Luke Matheson caught the eye at the back but it was their captain was who the chief architect. BOHEMIANS: Chorazka; Matheson, Mills, Keita, Kirk; McDonnell(B McManus 77), Flores, Clarke, Rooney, McDaid(Connolly 70); Akintunde(Grant 83) SHELBOURNE: Kearns; Gannon, Barrett(Farrell 76), Molloy, Wilson; Lunney, Coyle(O’Sullivan 65), Jarvis, Burt; Boyd, Martin(Williams 76) Referee: Paul McLoughlin