League Report: Bohemians 1 - 0 Sligo Rovers

View a series of photos from the game by Peter Fitzpatrick

Ismahil Akinade provided the goal that gave 10-men Bohemians a narrow 1-0 win over Sligo Rovers in Dalymount Park on Friday night. The Gypsies took all three points despite the dismissal of Anto Murphy after 35 minutes. The victory solidifies the gap between Bohemians and the bottom half of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division.

Sligo Rovers attacked in numbers following the Murphy red card but were unable to get behind the Bohemians defence. Morton Nielsen, a half time substitute, missed Sligo's best chance of the night as he fired wide from close range midway through the second half.

Akinade should have put Bohemians ahead in the opening minutes of the game however he choose a high boot over a header at the back post resulting in a missed opportunity. The next chance fell to Sligo Rovers, Sander Puri's left footed shot from the right hand side was pushed past the post by Dean Delany.

It was on the half hour mark that Bohs went ahead. Anto Murphy's throw-in to Paddy Kavanagh started the move on the right hand side. Kavanagh moved down the wing a few steps before crossing the ball low to the front post. Keith Buckley beat his man at the front post and flicked the ball on to the centre of the goal. Akinade was left with a tap in from close range after 31 minutes.

Murphy's involvement in the goal was to prove his last constructive impact on the game. After 35 minutes he was sent off by referee Paul McLaughlin for a two footed challenge on Rovers captain David Cawley.

Roberto Lopes slotted in to the full back position following Murphy's dismissal. Before that he had played well in his usual holding role in the five man midfield. For the next hour the entire Bohemians defence were absolutely rock solid under pressure from Sligo. Saves from Delany and headers from Derek Prendergast featured especially late in the second half.

Rovers were pressing so far forward that it at times looked like they had two or three extra men on the pitch. Despite some solid efforts from Sander Puri, Dinny Corcoran and Morten Nielsen the Bit O'Red travelled home with nothing to show for their efforts. Nielsen in particular will be unhappy having failed to equalise from close range with twenty minutes to go.

Next Friday both Sligo Rovers and Bohemians will hope for a better result for the Bit O’Red as they host St. Patrick's Athletic at the Showgrounds. Likewise Bohemians can do Sligo a favour when they host Derry City next Friday.

Bohemian FC: Dean Delany; Anto Murphy, Derek Prendegast, Dave Mulcahy, Stephen Best; Roberto Lopes; Paddy Kavanagh, Keith Buckley, Kealon Dillon(Robbie Creevy, 64), Adam Evans (Jason Byrne 75); Ismahil Akinade.

Subs not used: Lee Steacy; Aaron Ashe, Jason Caffrey, James O'Brien, Karl Moore.

Bookings: Kavanagh (87).

Sent off: Murphy (35)

Sligo Rovers: Richard Brush, Raffaele Cretaro, Alan Keane, Jake Dykes, Regan Donelan; Gary Boylan; Sander Puri, David Cawley, Keith Ward (Ruairí Keating, 64), Gary Armstrong (Morten Nielsen, 46), Dinny Corcoran.

Subs not used: Ryan Coulter, Ross Taheny, Ryan Mc Manus.

Bookings: Donelon (30), Cawley (50), Dykes (53).

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

Attendance: 1,453.

Extratime Man of the Match: Roberto Lopes (Bohemian FC).