Friendly Match Report: St. Mochtas 1-2 Bohemians

Jamie Doyle netted a last minute header to hand Bohemians a 2-1 victory against St. Mochtas in Friday evening’s Friendly at Porterstown Road.

The game was a lively affair, with Bohs taking the lead through Dinny Corcoran in the first half, before the spirited Leinster Senior League side levelled in seven minutes into the second half through David Lacey.

The home side applied good pressure early on, but it was Corcoran who carved out the opening chance in the fourth minute which was a weak effort easily stopped by Mark Osbourne.

Corcoran and strike partner Kaleen Simon threatened as the Gypsies settled into their passing rhythm. It was a Simon through ball that nearly handed Bohs the lead, only for Philip Gannon’s powerful strike to hit Orbourne right in the nose - luckily he was okay to continue.

Gannon dictated the tempo in the midfield, and gave Bohs two great chances within a minute mid-way through the opening period. A cutting through ball releasing Dean Casey before a deft backheel did the same for Simon, but neither could finish.

The passing game was nearly Bohs’ undoing however, as Oscar Brennan was caught in possession allowing Mochtas’ Carl Somers to shoot, but he fired high and wide from the edge of the box.

The League of Ireland side recovered and broke the deadlock in the 35th minute. Good combination play between Simon and Corcoran in the Mochtas box granted Corcoran just enough space to place a shot into the bottom right corner of the goal.

At  the other end Luke Kelly had a good effort saved by Shane Supple before the final chance of the half fell to Gareth McDonagh but he was wasteful.

Bohs refreshed the entire setup in the second half, with only left-back Lorcan Fitzgerald returning to the field, and Mochtas capitalised on the new XI’s slow start.

Quick to pressurise the new unit from the get-go, Lacey had a header go just over within moment of the second half starting and the goal that Mochtas deserved came seven minutes into the half.

A great through ball from Brian Fitzpatrick cut open their opponents midfield and set Somers away free down the left wing. He charged towards the Bohs net before unselfishly playing the ball to Lacey who couldn't miss from six yards out.

The second half squad for Bohs struggled to settle, and Mochtas enjoyed much of the possession as they continued to create chances. The best of which fell to Kelly after some excellent skill from Mark Hughes to beat Fitzgerald. However, Greg Murray managed to save.

Im the last 15 minutes of the game Bohs finally were able to settle and began testing Mochtas with a rapid fire series of efforts. A Keith Ward free kick, and two chances for Ishmael Akinade, one a half-volley from close range, the other a speculative effort form the edge of the box, did little to bother Osbourne though.

Jamie Doyle managed to sting the Mochtas keeper’s gloves twice as Osbourne pulled off two miraculous saves to deny Doyle., There was some great last-ditch defending from Mochtas substitute Gavin Smith, throwing his body on the line to bravely deny Ward from six yards out .

The Mochtas resistance would unfortunately be broken finally in the 89th minute. Doyle glanced home the winner at the near post on his head from a Ward corner. Bohs late game surge had paid off, but Mochtas can be proud of a battling performance.

St. Mochtas: Mark Osbourne; Brian Fitzpatrick, Simon Dixon, Craig Sheridan (Lee Dixon 61), Niall O'Reilly (Gavin Smith 46); Mark Hughes, Philip Hughes (Mark O’Neill 61), Luke Kelly, Alan McGreal; Carl Somers, David Lacey (Keith Dunne 61).

Bohemians: Shane Supple (Greg Murray ht); Derek Pender (Warren O’Hora ht), Oscar Brennan (Stephen Best ht), Rob Cornwell (Ian Morris ht), Lorcan Fitzgerald (Eoin Warren 66); Dean Casey (Patrick Kavanagh ht), Philip Gannon (Fuad Sule ht), Georgie Poyton (Eoghan Morgan ht), Gareth McDonagh (Jamie Doyle ht); Kaleen Simon (Keith Ward ht), Dinny Corcoran (Ishmael Akinade ht).

Subs Not Used: Caiomh Fowler.

Referee: Ben Connolly.

Attendance: 300 (estimate).

Extratime.ie Man of the Match: David Lacey (St. Mochtas).