League Report: Bohemians 2 - 0 Sligo Rovers

Bohemians jumped up into sixth place after a goal in each half gave the Phibsboro men a comfortable 2-0 victory over Sligo Rovers in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division at Dalymount Park.

After a scrappy opening on an overcast evening in the capital, the home side were awarded a free kick in the ninth minute. Keith Ward’s long-range delivery was misjudged by Sligo’s goalkeeper Micheál Schlingermann and the ball ended up in the roof of the net.

Sligo responded well to that early reverse and forced a number of corners without really threatening an equaliser. Long serving attacker Rafaele Cretaro was presented with a gilt-edged opportunity three minutes from the break. Cretaro met Regan Donelon’s beautiful cross field ball first time but his shot was wide.

Shortly after half-time, Cretaro linked well with Jonah Ayunga but the Kenyan’s effort flew outside the frame of the goal. Ward might have had his second goal in the 56^th minute but could only find the side netting.

Three minutes later Paddy Kavanagh went close for the home team with a full-blooded drive that just cleared the crossbar.

Superb defensive work by Bohs kept their line intact as Michael Leahy and Liam Martin were foiled in quick succession by Oscar Brennan and Shane Supple respectively.

In the 81^st minute, Sligo were again undone by defensive frailty. An error left Dinny Corcoran in the clear from Derek Pender’s long pass and Bohs leading scorer pounced to net his tenth of the season.

Still Rovers refused to wilt and Tobi Adebayo-Rowling produced a brilliant injury time shot, which was denied by a flying save from the impressive Shane Supple. Kieran Sadlier also went close with a 30-yard free kick. Sligo forced nine corners to just two for Bohs but couldn’t make the breakthrough.

It is a second win on the bounce for resurgent Bohemians. Keith Long’s charges are unbeaten in four and with Izzy Akinade making a return off the bench after his operation, the mood around Dalymount Park is upbeat.

Bohemians: Shane Supple; Derek Pender (c), Warren O’Hora, Dan Byrne, Ian Morris; Keith Ward (Philip Gannon 84), Paddy Kavanagh (Lorcan Fitzgerald 87), Oscar Brennan, Fuad Sule, George Poynton; Dinny Corcoran (Ismahil Akinade 91).

Subs not used: Greg Murray (GK), Stephen Donnelly, Eoghan Morgan, Kaleem Simon.

Booked: Warren O’Hora, George Poynton.

Sligo Rovers: Micheál Schlingermann; Tobbi Adebayo Rowling, Regan Donelon, Michael Leahy, Kyle Callan McFadden; Daniel Kearns (Liam Martin ’27), Kieran Sadlier, Gary Boylan, John Russell (c); Raffaele Cretaro, Jonah Ayunga (Mikey Place ’86).

Subs not used:, Shaun Patton (GK), Chris Kenny, Craig Roddan, Seamus Sharkey.

Booked: Jonah Ayunga, Kyle Callan McFadden, Liam Martin.

Referee: Ray Matthews (Longford).

Attendance: 1,800 (estimate).

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Shane Supple (Bohemians).