Limerick 1 - 0 Bohemians

A single Robbie Williams header just ten minutes from time earned Limerick their third win on the trot as they defeated Bohemians by a goal to nil on Monday night at Thomond Park.

Just as it looked like the Gypsies had weathered the storm, Stephen Bradley floated in a majestic free kick towards the back post. It was Williams who rose highest to meet it, and his looping effort floated past Dean Delany in the Bohs’ goal.

The game began at a slow pace – understandably so given the amount of football played by both sides in such a small period of time. Craig Curran was the first to have an attempt at goal when his header drifted just over the crossbar inside the first minute of play.

Bohs’ task was made even tougher as Shane Murray received lengthy treatment after he came off worse from a challenge with Limerick’s David O’Leary in the opening stages. Chris Lyons would go on to replace the promising midfielder.

Despite all the early play coming from the hosts, Bohemians should have hit the front after half an hour when Karl Moore’s relentless pursuit of Sam Oji resulted in him gaining possession inside the Limerick box and squaring for Corcoran to presumably tap home at ease. The Bohs front man fluffed his lines though – his shot flying over Shane Cusack’s crossbar and sailing into the night’s sky.

That same connection would be the source of the next chance of the game. Moore once again worked his magic down the left and crossed perfectly for Corcoran; yielding the same result.

Limerick did eventually settle and created a half chance for young Carel Tiofack. Rory Gaffney ducked and dived his way through a number of challenges, and some good interplay between the Blues teed up the former Irish underage international, but his shot was parried by Delany.

Shane Cusack had to be at full stretch to deny Chris Lyons as the substitute found space just outside the Limerick box; taking aim and forcing the young ‘keeper to push wide. The warning signs were certainly there for Limerick at that stage.

The Blues’ best chance of the game fell to their latest arrival Sam Oji just after the hour mark. After a failed attempt at penetrating the Bohs defence, Limerick regrouped thirty yards from goal. Joe Gamble made a run inside the full back, and the Bohs backline attempted to play him offside. The offside trap failed miserably and Gamble went one-on-one from a tight angle. He opted to smash the ball across the face of goal and Oji had an open goal at his mercy, but somehow managed to miss from two yards.

The definitive moment came just ten minutes from time. Stephen Bradley stood over a free kick about thirty yards out. Instead of going for goal himself, he lofted an inch perfect cross towards the back post, where Yorkshire native Robbie Williams had timed his jump to perfection and duly headed home much to the delight of the home crowd.

Limerick will feel they did enough on the night to win the game, given the amount of possession they had throughout the tie, while Bohs will feel it is certainly a point dropped.

Limerick FC: Shane Cusack; Patrick Nzuzi, Stephen Folan, Sam Oji, Robbie Williams; David O’Leary, Stephen Bradley, Joe Gamble; Carel Tiofack (Barry Sheedy 55), Craig Curran, Rory Gaffney (Shaun Kelly 86).
Subs not Used: Nathan Murray, Tony Whitehead, Darragh Rainsford, Jason Hughes, Kieran Hanlon.

Booked: Oji (29), Williams (71), Nzuzi (82), Gamble (84), Curran (88), Folan (90+3).

Bohemians: Dean Delany; Derek Pender, Roberto Lopes, Neil Yadolahi, Luke Byrne; Keith Buckley, Dave Mulcahy, Ryan McEvoy, Karl Moore (Andy Mulligan 71); Shane Murray (Chris Lyons 19 (Dave Scully 84)); Dinny Corcoran.
Subs not Used: Greg Murray, Darragh Reynor, Michael Barker, Dan Byrne.

Booked: Lyons (80).

Referee: Sean Grant (Wexford)

Attendance: 1,048

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Karl Moore (Bohemians).