GYPSIES PUT SLIGO TWO THE SWORD 2 0
BOHEMIANS kept up the pressure on the top two with a well-earned 2-0 over an injury-hit Sligo Rovers at a sunsoaked Dalymount Park.
The hosts, frustrated by last week’s 0-0 home draw with Damien Duff’s Shelbourne, managed to grab all three points against a depleted Bit O’Red, thanks to a well taken James Clarke strike and a second half Declan McDaid finish.
Influential skipper Keith Buckley was back in the starting 11, in one of three changes Declan Devine made to the side.
Injuries
The visitors, already missing Garry Buckley and Gary Boylan out with ACL injuries, went on to lose Nando Pijnaker to injury and John
Mahon through suspension in last week’s morale boosting 1-0 win over title hopefuls Derry City.
And just nine minutes in, the unfortunate John Russell was cursing his luck again when he saw another defender, Eanna Clancy, need replacing.
As expected, the home side made a lot of the
by Darryl GERAGHTY
early running, pressing high but just failing to test Luke McNicholas.
The hosts had two glorious chances in quick succession.
Firstly, Kris Twardek made a smart run from the left wing in behind the Rovers rearguard but failed to keep his strike down.
A couple of minutes later Ali Coote fashioned a yard of space in a crowded area but saw his shot blocked as it looked destined for the corner.
The visitors were forced into yet another change with a half an hour gone when combative midfielder Greg Bolger blocked a Krystian Nowak powerful shot from distance that seemed to catch the exShamrock Rovers man awkwardly on the ankle.
Finished
Bohs made their pressure pay when Clarke took Twardek’s pass on his chest and finished brilliantly.
And they secured all three points when, with 20 minutes left, sub Declan McDaid’s great first touch to control Coote’s mis-hit volley saw him finish sharply from close range.
Despite a couple of close calls from set-pieces with Max Mata and David Cawley going close with powerful headers — Bohs saw out the game to earn a valuable win.
It’s a quick turn-around for both sides with games on Monday as Bohs travel to Cork City, whilst John Russell’s men welcome the champions Shamrock Rovers to the Showgrounds.