Bohemians 2 - 0 Derry City

Bohemians took one step closer to surviving the drop as they dispatched ten-man Derry City on Friday night, a defeat which could also dash the Candystripes hopes of European football next season.

When it all kicked off in Dalymount Park, the home side looked a team hungry to hang on to their Premier Division survival and build upon their impressive performance in Tolka last week.

They didn’t have to wait long to take the lead after Stephen Traynor was hauled down inside the box after four minutes and the penalty was calmly dispatched by Ryan McEvoy.

The Gypsies where clearly on top early on, with Dinny Corcoran holding up the ball and looking to create goal scoring opportunities with Luke Byrne coming to his aid.

Corcoran himself flashed the ball wide after 14 minutes which was just before Derry got their first chance to get forward.

Barry McNamee looked the most eager of the Derry team as he attempted to barge his way through the Bohs’ defence on a couple of occasions, Michael Duffy was a helping hand on the left flank.

They were urged on by the home support who were in fine voice despite being small in numbers.

Declan Devine was also giving his players some “encouragement” from the sidelines, but it was to no avail as McEvoy doubled the home side's advantage after a graceful header from a Keith Buckley cross which looped over Ger Doherty in the Derry goal.

The Gypsies had to endure some threatening pressure from the Derry forwards in the latter stages of the first half when Dean Delany has his palms stung by McNamee and Rafter.

McEvoy also had a number of chances to complete his hat-trick before the stroke of half time, but he flashed a header over the bar and was greedy in front of goal.

The second half continued in a similar vein, with the home side on top.  There were chances for Buckley and Derek Pender. Corcoran was a tower of strength as he rose above the Derry defence only to see his header trickle wide.

The Candystripes where almost handed a way back into game were it not for Delany clawing the ball off the line after somewhat of a goalmouth scramble.

The match continued to have a real ebb and flow, but Corcoran almost put the game to bed on 65 minutes. Dean Jarvis, who had looked shaky all night, made a superb goal-saving tackle.

Derry were given a mountain to climb after Ryan McBride was dismissed for pulling down Corcoran just outside the area when he would have been clean through.

In the aftermath of the sending off the visitors where expectedly under the kosh, but after settling down they looked more threatening with ten men then they had with eleven as Simon Madden watch his shot trickle wide.

Bohemians allowed themselves to come under perhaps a little too much pressure late on, and relied on the counter attack as their main option going forward but Corcoran and Buckley saw their fledgling runs smothered by either McNamee or the offside trap.

As the game began to fizzle out, it was clear that there would only be one winner. On tonight's performance, Bohemians simply look too good to go down.

Bohemians: Dean Delany; Derek Pender, Roberto Lopes, Neil Yadolahi, Luke Byrne; Keith Buckley (Andy Mulligan 86) Ryan McEvoy, Dave Mulchay (c), Karl Moore; Stephen Traynor, Dinny Corcoran (Chris Lyons 90+3).
Subs not used: Greg Murray, Darragh Reynor, Dave Scully, Michael Barker, Dan Byrne.

Booked: None.

Derry City: Ger Doherty (c); Simon Madden, Shane McEleney, Ryan McBride, Dean Jarvis; David McDaid (Patrick McEleney 56), Ruaidhri Higgins, Michael Duffy (Ryan Curran 81), Barry McNamee; Rory Patterson.
Subs Not Used: Eugene Ferry, Mark Griffin, Josh Tracey, Ray Foy, Barry Molloy.

Booked: Higgins (40).
Sent Off: Ryan McBride (70).

Referee: Alan Kelly

Attendance: 

Man of the Match: Ryan McEvoy (Bohemians).