League Report: Waterford 0 - 2 Bohemians

Brendan White reports from the RSC

A Sam Bone own goal and a Danny Mandroiu strike saw Bohemians pick up their first win of the 2020 season away to Waterford on Friday night.

Bone and Mandroiu both found the net in the minutes before half time as Keith Long’s put the disappointment of a last-minute derby defeat to Shamrock Rovers on the opening day behind them.

Bohs made the best of a strong wind advantage in the first half and, after forcing four early corners, the best saw former Blue JJ Lunney find Mandroiu but Blues keeper Brian Murphy tipped the ball over the bar.

The keeper was called into action again after nine minutes, tipping around the post as Keith Ward’s 20-yard strike caught the wind, while the former Cardiff man also denied Mandroiu.

The Blues created their first chance of the half when Robbie McCourt, who spent the past two seasons with Bogs, played in Matty Smith on the left but Stephen McGuinness got down low to save.

Bohs took the lead three minutes before the break as Michael Barker picked Kris Twardek out on the right and he took on Tyreke Wilson.

The Canadian international crossed to the back post where the former Shamrock Rovers defender Sam Bone headed into his own net, much to the travelling fans’ delight.

Ward hit the post before Bohs doubled their lead on the stroke of half time as Mandroiu was bundled over in the area by former Gypsies teammate Scott Allardice.

The Ireland under-21 international dusted himself down and fired the resulting spot kick past Murphy to give the visitors a substantial half-time cushion.

The wind played havoc in the second half and Bohs went close to adding another, only for Reading loanee Akin Odimayo to make a superb block on Glen McAuley’s strike.

At the other end, Bone’s powerful drive forced keeper Stephen McGuinness into action, while the right back’s cross forced keeper McGuinness to palm wide late in stoppage time.

The Gypsies ran out deserved winners, however, as the home side struggled to make use of their wind advantage after the break.

Waterford: Brian Murphy; Sam Bone, Andre Burley, Akin Odimayo, Tyreke Wilson (Will Longbottom 59); Ali Coote (Graham Cummins 81), Scott Allardice (Shane Griffin 71), Kevin O’Connor, Robbie McCourt; Michael O’Connor, Matty Smith.

Bohemians: Stephen McGuinness; Michael Barker, Dan Casey, Rob Cornwell, Anto Breslin; JJ Lunney, Keith Ward (Andre Wright 83), Keith Buckley; Danny Mandroiu (Ross Tierney 90), Kris Twardek, Glen McAuley (Danny Grant 74.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin