Liam Scales: ‘Bohs came out and played good football but we dealt with it well’

Macdara Ferris reports from Tallaght Stadium

It was a man-of-the-match performance from Liam Scales in Shamrock Rovers’ Dublin Derby win over Bohemians on Friday night.

The 2-1 victory kept the Hoops level at the top of the table with St. Patrick’s Athletic (who lead on goal difference). The champions have continued on from last season with the undefeated run in the league now stretching to 29 matches – one off the all-time record set by Rovers back in 1927.

Defensively the Hoops in their seven league games to date have conceded five goals and kept two clean sheets – not as good as last season’s record breaking performance that helped propel the Hoops to the title.

Rovers kept 13 cleansheets in the shortened 18 game campaign and they only conceded seven goals – the fewest ever in the history of the Ireland (which includes 22 seasons which were 18 match campaigns or less).

“We want to keep clean sheets every week,” said Scales speaking after Rovers’ fifth win in a row over Bohs. “As a defensive unit clean sheets are our main goal. We know we have the quality up the pitch to score so if we keep clean sheets we will win games. It was disappointing to concede in the first half but overall we haven’t conceded many this year.

“It is in the background,” said Scales about Rovers’ chances in Finn Harps next week of equalling the league unbeaten record. “It is not our main focus but it would be nice to break the record. Every week we are looking to kick on and stay up where we are in the table and take three points. To be unbeaten seven games into this season, we are happy with that.”

Against Bohs, Scales moved out to play as left wing back as Sean Kavanagh picked up a knee injury against Drogheda in the previous game and Neil Farrugia is still on his way back to match fitness.

Stephen Bradley confirmed to extratime.com after that game that Kavanagh will miss the next three to four weeks after injuring his MCL in Rovers’ late win over Drogheda United last Tuesday.

Bohs brought more attacking intent than other teams to Tallaght this season according to Scales. “Especially in Tallaght a lot of teams are coming and sitting back. Pat’s came out and attacked in the first game of the season. Bohs came out and played good football but we dealt with it well.

“It was an open first half, up and down and the tempo was high. I’m sure it was very good to watch as a neutral. With a game so open, both teams are going to give up chances. It was probably fair enough to go in 1-1 at half time. We were very good in the first half.

“Bohs upped their game in the second half and we just had to dig in and defend. When teams throw bodies forward, you have to defend deeper. We did really well not to concede or even concede many chances in the second half. We are happy with that. The most important thing to get in these derby games is the three points. We are happy with the performance.

“They are always tight games against Bohs. We know how big it is for the fans. It is a shame that they can’t be here. I’m sure it would have been a full house and the atmosphere would have been unbelievable.” 

Stephen Bradley: ‘It's a nice run to be on as it breeds confidence’ https://t.co/T4DNxrW1VVpic.twitter.com/odsjHgkpPj

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) April 24, 2021