League Report: Bohemians 1 - 0 Sligo Rovers

Kurtis Byrne's first league goal for Bohemians fired Keith Long's side to a narrow 1-0 win over Sligo Rovers at Dalymount Park.

Both teams went into the game eager to pick up a first three points of the season, after disappointing losses on the opening day to Cork City and Shamrock Rovers respectively.

It was Bohs who got the game underway in a lively Dalymount, but the start to the game was anything but lively as both teams were careless in possession.

The game sprang into action when Byrne collected a cross field ball from Mark Quigley, controlling the pass before looping the ball beautifully in to the top corner to give the hosts the lead in the 12^th minute.

Bohs looked the better team in the opening twenty minutes, and there was a penalty appeal waved away when Ismahil Akinade headed a cross at Tim Clancy and it appeared to hit his arm, but the referee dismissed the claims.

Neither team could get a grasp on the game, but the Gypsies nearly added a second when Akinade headed down for Quigley, who was free on the edge of the box, but his tame effort was easily collected by Micheál Schlingermann in the Sligo goal.

Bohemians came out in the second half in menacing fashion with Keith Buckley racing forward and playing to Akinade outside the box, who beat Gavin Peers only to be brought down cynically by the defender. Quigley took the free kick but his strong effort was saved by Schlingermann.

Sligo finally managed to conjure up a chance when Jaanai Gordon beat Fitzgerald and fizz a ball into the box. Chris Lyons met the ball at the near post, but failed to make enough contact to cause any harm.

The hosts came even closer to adding a second when Buckley let fly from range and smashed the post. The rebound fell to Akinade who could only fire his shot at the Schlingermann in the Sligo net.

Sligo enjoyed some possession and had a good chance as Lyons swung in a ball to the unmarked Liam Martin, but he failed to control his header as it flew over the crossbar.

Again Sligo failed to capitalise on a cross into the box, this time when Jaanai Gordon couldn’t direct his header on target after a crisp cross from Regan Donelon.

Bohs then had a headed chance for themselves, this time Akinade failing to score when he met Byrne’s cross, but it was saved by Sligo’s Schlingermann.

The Bit o’ Red nearly bagged an eqauliser in the dying moments when Martin swivelled on the edge of the box and let fly with a low strike, but strong hands from Dean Delaney ensured Bohs stayed in the lead.

Bohs managed to hold on as Kelly blew his whisle in a cagey affair in Dublin, which saw Bohs collect their first three points of the season and Sligo losing for the second week running.

Bohemians: Dean Delaney; Derek Pender, Derek Prendergast, Anto Murphy, Lorcan Fitzgerald; Eoin Wearen (Dave Mulcahy 90), Keith Buckley, Mark Quigley (Paddy Kavanagh 60), Kurtis Byrne, Jake Kelly (Ayman Ben Mohammed 72); Ismahil Akinade.

Subs Not Used: Lee Steacy (gk), Dan Byrne, Adam Evans, Dylan Hayes.

Yellow Cards: Lorcan Fitzgerald (26), Ismahil Akinade (44), Kurtis Byrne (82), Derek Prendergast (87).

Sligo Rovers: Michael Schlingermann; Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, Tim Clancy, Gavin Peers, Regan Donelon; Chris Lyons (John Russell 66’), Philip Roberts, Jordan Richards, Jimmy Keohane, Liam Martin; Jaanai Gordon.

Subs Not Used: Ciaran Nugent (gk), Michael Leahy, Gary Boylan, Michael Place, Gary Armstrong.

Yellow Cards: Tobi Adebayo-Rowling (30) Tim Clancy (38).

Referee: Graham Kelly.

Attendance: 2,115.

ExtraTime.ie Player of the Match: Anto Murphy (Bohemians).

See photos from the game as taken by Ciaran Cooney, Daniel Rico and Eddie Lennon here.